Cleavable lipids

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and related methods of their use. The compounds described herein are useful, e.g., as liposomal delivery vehicles to facilitate the delivery of encapsulated polynucleotides to target cells and subsequent transfection of said target cells, and in certain embodiments are characterized as having one or more properties that afford such compounds advantages relative to other similarly classified lipids.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/651,832 filed Jul. 17, 2017; which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/124,615, filed on Jun. 4, 2014, whichissued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,717,690 on Aug. 1, 2017; which is the U.S.National Stage Entry claiming priority to International ApplicationPCT/US2012/041663 filed on Jun. 8, 2012; which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/494,882 filed Jun. 8, 2011, and U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/494,745 filed Jun. 8, 2011, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has beensubmitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Jan. 23, 2018, isnamed “MRT-1053U53_Sequence Listing.txt” and is 7,914 bytes in size.

Liposomal delivery of nucleic acids has been employed for thesite-specific delivery of encapsulated plasmid DNA, antisenseoligonucleotides, short interfering RNA and microRNA-based therapies.However, the efficient delivery of nucleic acids to targeted cells andtissues, as well as the subsequent transfection of such targeted cellsand tissues remains a technical challenge. Despite the availability ofmultiple liposomal-based systems and vehicles to facilitate the deliveryof therapeutic agents to target cells and tissues, many problems stillexist both in in vivo and in vitro applications. For example, asignificant drawback of liposomal delivery systems relates to theconstruction of liposomes that have sufficient cell culture or in vivostability to reach desired target cells and/or intracellularcompartments, and the ability of such liposomal delivery systems toefficiently release their encapsulated materials to such target cells.Furthermore, many of the cationic lipids that are employed to constructsuch liposomal-based vehicles are generally toxic to the targeted cells,and accordingly may be of limited use, particularly in quantitiesnecessary to successfully deliver encapsulated materials to such targetcells.

Despite the foregoing limitations, and as a results of their ability toprotect and facilitate the delivery of encapsulated materials to one ormore target cells, liposomal-based vehicles are considered an attractivecarrier for therapeutic agents and remain subject to continueddevelopment efforts. While liposomal-based vehicles that comprise acationic lipid component have shown promising results with regards toencapsulation, stability and site localization, there remains a greatneed for improvement of liposomal-based delivery systems. In particular,there remains a need for improved cationic and lipids which are capableof delivering macromolecules such as nucleic acids to a wide varietycell types and tissues with enhanced efficiency. There also remains aparticular need for novel lipids that incorporate a multifunctionalapproach for delivering encapsulated nucleic acids and polynucleotides.

Thus, the invention provides novel compounds, pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising such compounds and related methods of their use.In some embodiments, the compounds described herein are useful asliposomal compositions or as components of liposomal compositions tofacilitate the delivery to, and subsequent transfection of one or moretarget cells. In certain embodiments, the compositions disclosed hereinare cationic and/or ionizable lipids. In some embodiments, the compoundsdescribed herein have been designed based on desired characteristics orproperties, for example to enhance transfection efficiency or to promotespecific biological outcomes. Furthermore, in certain embodiments thecompounds described herein employ a multifunctional strategy tofacilitate the delivery of encapsulated materials (e.g., one or morepolynucleotides) to, and the subsequent transfection of one or moretarget cells. For example, in certain embodiments the compoundsdescribed herein are characterized as having one or more of fusogenic,endosomal or lysosomal disruption and/or releasable properties thatafford such compounds advantages relative other similarly classifiedlipids.

The compounds disclosed herein generally comprise one or more cleavable(e.g., cleavable enzymatically or by reduction, oxidation or hydrolysis)functional groups to which are bound (e.g., covalently bound) two ormore functional groups or moieties (e.g., a hydrophobic R₁ group and ahydrophilic R₂ group). For example, disclosed herein are compounds thatcomprise a cleavable disulfide (S—S) functional group. Also contemplatedare compounds that comprise any functional groups that are capable ofbeing cleaved, for example upon exposure to biological conditions, andthat for the purposes hereof such groups may include, but are notlimited to, esters and ethers. In certain embodiments, the two or morefunctional groups (e.g., a head-group and a tail-group) that comprisethe compounds render such compounds amphiphilic. For example, in certainembodiments, at least one of the functional groups is a non-polar,lipophilic or hydrophobic tail-group (e.g., a naturally-occurring lipidsuch as cholesterol or a C₆-C₂₀ alkyl). In certain embodiments, at leastone of the functional groups is a polar or hydrophilic head-group (e.g.,imidazole).

In certain embodiments, the compounds described herein (e.g., HGT4001,HGT4002, HGT4003, HGT4004 and/or HGT4005) are cationic or ionizablelipids that may be used as a component of a liposomal composition tofacilitate or enhance the delivery and release of encapsulated materials(e.g., one or more therapeutic agents) to one or more target cells(e.g., by permeating or fusing with the lipid membranes of such targetcells). In certain embodiments, the one or more cleavable functionalgroups (e.g., a disulfide) that comprise such compounds allow, forexample, a hydrophilic functional head-group to dissociate (e.g., uponexposure to oxidative, reducing or acidic conditions) from a lipophilicfunctional tail-group of the compound, thereby facilitating a phasetransition in the lipid bilayer of the one or more target cells. Forexample, when a liposomal composition (e.g., a lipid nanoparticle)comprises one or more of the compounds disclosed herein, the phasetransition in the lipid bilayer of the one or more target cellsfacilitates the delivery of the encapsulated materials (e.g., one ormore therapeutic polynucleotides encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle)into the one or more target cells. Similarly, enriching liposomalcompositions with one or more of the compounds disclosed herein mayimprove the fusogenicity of such liposomal compositions, therebyenhancing the ability of such compounds to deliver materials (e.g.,polynucleotides) encapsulated therein intracellularly.

In certain embodiments, the compounds have the structure of formula (I),

wherein R₁ is selected from the group consisting of imidazole,guanidinium, amino, imine, enamine, an optionally-substituted alkylamino (e.g., an alkyl amino such as dimethylamino) and pyridyl; whereinR₂ is selected from the group consisting of formula II and formula III;

wherein R₃ and R₄ are each independently selected from the groupconsisting of an optionally substituted, variably saturated orunsaturated C₆-C₂₀ alkyl and an optionally substituted, variablysaturated or unsaturated C₆-C₂₀ acyl; and wherein n is zero or anypositive integer (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen,seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty or more). In certain embodiments,R₃ and R₄ are each an optionally substituted, polyunsaturated C₁₈ alkyl,while in other embodiments R₃ and R₄ are each an unsubstituted,polyunsaturated C₁₈ alkyl. In certain embodiments, one or more of R₃ andR₄ are (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien.

Also disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions that comprise thecompound of formula I, wherein R₁ is selected from the group consistingof imidazole, guanidinium, amino, imine, enamine, anoptionally-substituted alkyl amino (e.g., an alkyl amino such asdimethylamino) and pyridyl; wherein R₂ is formula II; and wherein n iszero or any positive integer. Further disclosed herein arepharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound of formula I,wherein R₁ is selected from the group consisting of imidazole,guanidinium, amino, imine, enamine, an optionally-substituted alkylamino (e.g., an alkyl amino such as dimethylamino) and pyridyl; whereinR₂ is formula III; wherein R₃ and R₄ are each independently selectedfrom the group consisting of an optionally substituted, variablysaturated or unsaturated C₆-C₂₀ alkyl and an optionally substituted,variably saturated or unsaturated C₆-C₂₀ acyl; and wherein n is zero orany positive integer. In certain embodiments, R₃ and R₄ are each anoptionally substituted, polyunsaturated C₁₈ alkyl, while in otherembodiments R₃ and R₄ are each an unsubstituted, polyunsaturated C₁₈alkyl (e.g., octadeca-9,12-dien).

In certain embodiments, the R₁ group or head-group is a polar orhydrophilic group (e.g., one or more of the imidazole, guanidinium andamino groups) and is bound to the R₂ lipid group by way of the disulfide(S—S) cleavable linker group, for example as depicted in formula I.Other contemplated cleavable linker groups may include compositions thatcomprise one or more disulfide (S—S) linker group bound (e.g.,covalently bound) to, for example an alkyl group (e.g., C₁ to C₁₀alkyl). In certain embodiments, the R₁ group is covalently bound to thecleavable linker group by way of a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl group (e.g., where n isone to twenty), or alternatively may be directly bound to the cleavablelinker group (e.g., where n is zero). In certain embodiments, thedisulfide linker group is cleavable in vitro and/or in vivo (e.g.,enzymatically cleavable or cleavable upon exposure to acidic or reducingconditions).

In certain embodiments, the inventions relate to the compound5-(((10,13-dimethyl-17-(6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl)disulfanyl)methyl)-1H-imidazole,having the structure of formula IV (referred to herein as “HGT4001”).

In certain embodiments, the inventions relate to the compound-(2-(((3S,10R,13R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-((R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl)disulfanyl)ethyl)guanidine,having the structure of formula V (referred to herein as “HGT4002”).

In certain embodiments, the inventions relate to the compound2-((2,3-Bis((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yloxy)propyl)disulfanyl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine,having the structure of formula VI (referred to herein as “HGT4003”).

In other embodiments, the inventions relate to the compound5-(((2,3-bis((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yloxy)propyl)disulfanyl)methyl)-1H-imidazolehaving the structure of formula VII (referred to herein as “HGT4004”).

In still other embodiments, the inventions relate to the compound1-(((2,3-bis((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yloxy)propyl)disulfanyl)methyl)guanidinehaving the structure of Formula VIII (referred to herein as “HGT4005”).

In certain embodiments, the compounds disclosed herein are cationicand/or ionizable lipids, that may be used as a liposomal composition oralternatively as component of a liposomal composition (e.g., a lipidnanoparticle): In certain embodiments, the compounds disclosed hereinare used to enrich a liposomal composition (e.g., lipid nanoparticles),thereby conferring improved properties to such enriched liposomalcomposition (e.g., improved delivery of encapsulated polynucleotides toone or more target cells and/or reduced in vivo toxicity of a liposomalcomposition). Accordingly, also contemplated are pharmaceuticalcompositions, and in particular liposomal compositions, that compriseone or more of the compounds disclosed herein. In certain embodiments,such pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions comprise one or more of aPEG-modified lipid, a non-cationic lipid and a helper lipid, such ascholesterol. For example, contemplated are pharmaceutical and liposomalcompositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) that comprise one or more ofthe compounds disclosed herein (e.g., HGT4001, HGT4002, HGT4003, HGT4004and/or HGT4005) and one or more cationic lipid, non-cationic lipid, ahelper lipid/cholesterol, and PEG-modified lipid components. Alsocontemplated are pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions that compriseone or more of the compounds disclosed herein and that further compriseone or more additional cationic lipids. Similarly, also contemplated areliposomal compositions and pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., a lipidnanoparticle) that comprise one or more of the HGT4001, HGT4002,HGT4003, HGT4004 and/or HGT4005 compounds and one or more of C12-200,DLinDMA, DLinKC2-DMA, CHOL, DOPE, DMG-PEG-2000, ICE, DSPC, DODAP, DOTAPand C8-PEG-2000. In certain embodiments, such pharmaceuticalcompositions and liposomal compositions are loaded with or otherwiseencapsulate materials, such as for example, one or morebiologically-active polynucleotides.

In certain embodiments one or more of the pharmaceutical and liposomalcompositions described herein (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) comprise oneor more of the compounds disclosed herein and one or more additionallipids. For example, lipid nanoparticles that comprise or are otherwiseenriched with one or more of the compounds disclosed herein may furthercomprise one or more of DOTAP (1,2-dioleyl-3-trimethylammonium propane),DODAP (1,2-dioleyl-3-dimethylammonium propane), DOTMA(1,2-di-O-octadecenyl-3-trimethylammonium propane), DLinDMA,DLin-KC2-DMA, C12-200 and ICE. In one embodiment the pharmaceuticalcomposition comprises a lipid nanoparticle that comprises HGT4001, DOPEand DMG-PEG2000. In another embodiment the pharmaceutical compositioncomprises a lipid nanoparticle that comprises HGT4003, DOPE, cholesteroland DMG-PEG2000.

In certain embodiments one or more of the pharmaceutical compositionsdescribed herein may comprise one or more PEG-modified lipids. Forexample, lipid nanoparticles that comprise or are otherwise enrichedwith one or more of the compounds disclosed herein may further compriseone or more of PEG-modified lipids that comprise a poly(ethylene)glycolchain of up to 5 kDa in length covalently attached to a lipid comprisingone or more C₆-C₂₀ alkyls.

Similarly, the pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein (e.g., lipidnanoparticles) may comprise or may otherwise be enriched with one ormore of the compounds disclosed herein and may further comprise one ormore of helper lipids that are selected from the group consisting ofDSPC (1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), DPPC(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), DOPE(1,2-dioleyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), DPPE(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), DMPE(1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), DOPG(,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1′-rac-glycerol)), DOPE(1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), DSPE(1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), DLPE(1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), DPPS(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine), ceramides,sphingomyelins and cholesterol.

In certain embodiments, the compounds and the pharmaceutical andliposomal compositions comprising such compounds (e.g., lipidnanoparticles) comprise one or more polynucleotides (e.g., encapsulatedDNA or RNA). In other embodiments, the one or more polynucleotidescomprise at least one locked nucleic acid (e.g., two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, twelve, fifteen, sixteen, eighteen,twenty, or more locked nucleic acid residues or monomers). Where the oneor more encapsulated polynucleotides comprise RNA, such RNA may include,for example, mRNA, siRNA, snoRNA, microRNA, and combinations thereof.

In certain embodiments, the polynucleotides encapsulated in thepharmaceutical and liposomal compositions hereof comprise mRNA encoding,for example, a functional polypeptide, protein or enzyme, and upon beingexpressed (i.e., translated) by one or more target cells a functionalpolypeptide product (e.g., a protein or enzyme) is produced, and in someinstances secreted by the target cell into the peripheral circulation ofa subject. In certain embodiments, the one or more of thepolynucleotides that comprise (or are otherwise loaded or encapsulatedinto) the compounds and pharmaceutical and liposomal compositionsdescribed herein encode a nucleic acid (e.g., a polypeptide) which isaberrantly expressed by the subject. In certain embodiments, the one ormore of the encapsulated polynucleotides that comprise such compoundsand liposomal or pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., a lipidnanoparticle) encode a functional enzyme such as a urea cycle enzyme(e.g., ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase1 (CPS1), argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS1), argininosuccinate lyase(ASL) or arginase 1 (ARG1)). In certain embodiments the one or more ofthe encapsulated polynucleotides comprises mRNA encoding an enzymeassociated with a lysosomal storage disorder (e.g., the encapsulatedpolynucleotide is mRNA encoding one or more of the enzymes alphagalactosidase, iduronate-2-sulfatase, N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphatetransferase, beta-glucosidase, galactocerebrosidase, and glucosidasealpha acid). In other embodiments where the nucleic acids comprise mRNA,such mRNA may encode one or more proteins or enzymes, for example,proteins or enzymes that may be deficient in a subject (e.g., an enzymeor protein selected from the group of enzymes consisting of cysticfibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR),alpha-L-iduronidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase, alpha-glucosaminideacetyltransferase, N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfatase,N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase, galactose-6-sulfate sulfatase,beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, glucocerebrosidase, heparansulfamidase, and hyaluronidase).

Also contemplated herein are pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions(e.g., lipid nanoparticles) that comprise one or more of the compoundsdisclosed herein and one or more polynucleotides (e.g., antisenseoligonucleotides), and in particular polynucleotides that comprises oneor more chemical modifications. For example, in certain embodimentswhere the polynucleotide is mRNA, such chemical modifications render themRNA more stable and may comprise, for example an end blockingmodification of a 5′ or 3′ untranslated region of the mRNA. In certainembodiments, the chemical modification comprises the inclusion of apartial sequence of a CMV immediate-early 1 (IE1) gene to the 5′untranslated region of the mRNA, such as, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1:

(SEQ ID NO: 1) XCAGAUCGCCUGGAGACGCCAUCCACGCUGUUUUGACCUCCAUAGAAGACACCGGGACCGAUCCAGCCUCCGCGGCCGGGAACGGUGCAUUGGAACGCGGAUUCCCCGUGCCAAGAGUGACUCACCGUCCUUGACACG, wherein X, if present is GGA;or a sequence that is at least 90% or at least 95% identical to SEQ IDNO:1.

In other embodiments the chemical modification comprises the inclusionof a poly A tail to the 3′ untranslated region of the mRNA. Alsocontemplated are chemical modifications that comprise the inclusion of aCap1 structure to the 5′ untranslated region of the mRNA. In still otherembodiments, the chemical modification comprises the inclusion of asequence from the human growth hormone (hGH) gene to either the 3′untranslated region of the mRNA. The hGH sequence may comprise, e.g.,SEQ ID NO:2

(SEQ ID NO: 2) CGGGUGGCAUCCCUGUGACCCCUCCCCAGUGCCUCUCCUGGCCCUGGAAGUUGCCACUCCAGUGCCCACCAGCCUUGUCCUAAUAAAAUUAAGUUGCA UCor a sequence that is at least 90% or at least 95% identical to SEQ IDNO:2.

The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions described herein may beformulated to specifically target and/or transfect one or more targetcells, tissues and organs. In certain embodiments, such compounds andpharmaceutical compositions facilitate the transfection of such targetcells by one or more mechanisms (e.g., fusogenic-based release and/orproton-sponge mediated disruption of the lipid-bilayer membrane of thetarget cells). Contemplated target cells include, for example, one ormore cells selected from the group consisting of hepatocytes, epithelialcells, hematopoietic cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, lungcells, bone cells, stem cells, mesenchymal cells, neural cells, cardiaccells, adipocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiomyocytes,skeletal muscle cells, beta cells, pituitary cells, synovial liningcells, ovarian cells, testicular cells, fibroblasts, B cells, T cells,reticulocytes, leukocytes, granulocytes and tumor cells.

The further invention provides pharmaceutical compositions that compriselyophilized liposomal delivery vehicles and liposomal formulations(e.g., lipid nanoparticles) that are useful for effectuating thedelivery of encapsulated contents (e.g., polynucleotides) to one or moretarget cells, tissues or organs. The invention further provides relatedmethods and processes for preparing such pharmaceutical compositions, aswell as methods of treating one or more diseases or conditions byadministering such pharmaceutical compositions to a subject in needthereof. The lyophilized compositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles)described herein are also expected to have improved long-term stabilityupon storage under either refrigeration or at ambient temperature (e.g.,room temperature).

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprisinglyophilized nanoparticles or lyposomal delivery vehicles arecharacterized as being stable (e.g., as stable as pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising an equivalent unlyophilized vehicles). Thestability of the lyophilized delivery vehicles may be determined, forexample, with reference to the particle size of the lipid nanoparticlescomprising such composition. In certain embodiments, lyophilization ofthe lipid nanoparticles does not appreciably change or alter theparticle size of the lipid nanoparticles following lyophilization and/orreconstitution. For example, disclosed herein are pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising lyophilized lipid delivery vehicles, whereinupon reconstitution (e.g., with purified water) the lipid nanoparticlesdo not flocculate or aggregate, or alternatively demonstrated limited ornegligible flocculation or aggregation (e.g., a determined by theparticle size of the reconstituted lipid nanoparticles). Accordingly, incertain embodiments, upon reconstitution of a lyophilized lipidnanoparticle the lipid nanoparticles have a Dv₅₀ of less than about 500nm (e.g., less than about 300 nm, 200 nm, 150 nm, 125 nm, 120 nm, 100nm, 75 nm, 50 nm, 25 nm, or smaller). Similarly, in certain embodiments,upon reconstitution of a lyophilized lipid nanoparticle the lipidnanoparticles have a Dv₉₀ of less than about 750 nm (e.g., less thanabout 700 nm, 500 nm, 300 nm, 200 nm, 150 nm, 125 nm, 100 nm, 75 nm, 50nm, 25 nm, or smaller).

In other embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprisinglyophilized lipid delivery vehicles are characterized as having apolydispersion index of less than about 1 (e.g., less than 0.95, 0.9,0.8, 0.75, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.25, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, or less).Still, in other embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprisinglyophilized lipid delivery vehicles demonstrate a reduced tendency toflocculate or otherwise aggregate (e.g., during lyophilization or uponreconstitution). For example, upon reconstitution the lipid deliveryvehicles may have an average particle size (Z_(ave)) of less than 500 nm(e.g., less than about 400 nm, 300 nm, 200 nm, 175 nm, 150 nm, 125 nm,100 nm, 75 nm, 50 nm, 25 nm, or smaller in a PBS solution).

The stable lyophilized lipid delivery vehicles (e.g., lipidnanoparticles) provided by the invention are also characterized by theirimproved storage properties. For example, in certain embodiments, thelyophilized lipid delivery vehicles may be stored under refrigerationand remain stable (e.g., as demonstrated by minimal or no losses intheir intended pharmaceutical or biological activity) for extendedperiods of time (e.g., stable for at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9,12, 18, 24, 36 months or longer upon storage at about 4° C.). In otherembodiments, the lyophilized lipid delivery vehicles may be storedwithout refrigeration and remain stable for extended periods of time(e.g., stable for at least about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36months or longer upon storage at about 25° C.). In certain embodiments,upon reconstitution with an appropriate rehydration media (e.g.,purified water, deionized water, 5% dextrose and/or normal saline), thereconstituted composition demonstrates pharmacological or biologicalactivity comparable with that observed prior to lyophilization. Forexample, in certain embodiments, the pharmacological or biologicalactivity of an encapsulated polynucleotide is equivalent to thatobserved prior to lyophilization of the composition, or alternativelydemonstrates a negligible reduction in pharmacological or biologicalactivity (e.g., less than about a 1%, 2%, 2.5%, 4%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%,12.5%, 15%, 18.5%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40% or 50% reduction in thebiological or pharmacological activity of an encapsulatedpolynucleotide).

Also disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprisinglyophilized lipid delivery vehicles (e.g., lyophilized lipidnanoparticles) that further comprise or are alternatively prepared usingone or more lyoprotectants (e.g., sugars and/or carbohydrates). Incertain embodiments, the inclusion of one or more lyoprotectants in thelipid nanoparticle may improve or otherwise enhance the stability of thelyophilized lipid delivery vehicles (e.g., under normal storageconditions) and/or facilitate reconstitution of the lyophilized lipiddelivery vehicles using a rehydration media, thereby preparing anaqueous formulation. For example, in certain embodiments the lipidnanoparticles are prepared and prior to lyophilization the bufferpresent in the liposomal formulation may be replaced (e.g., viacentrifugation) with a lyoprotectant such as a sucrose solution orsuspension (e.g., an aqueous solution comprising between about 1-50% or10-25% sucrose). Other suitable lyoprotectants that may be used toprepare the lyophilized compositions described herein include, forexample, trehalose, dextran (e.g., 1.5 kDa, 5 kDa and/or 40 kDa) andinulin (e.g., 1.8 kDa and/or 4 kDa).

In some embodiments, the lyophilized compositions disclosed herein arealso capable of facilitating the extended release of the contents (e.g.,polynucleotides) encapsulated in one or more lipid nanoparticlescomprising such composition. For example, contemplated arepharmaceutical compositions comprising lyophilized lipid deliveryvehicles, wherein the composition may be implanted into a subjectwithout reconstitution (e.g., implanted subcutaneously, for example, asa membrane or a disk). Such implanted lyophilized compositions may erodeor otherwise disintegrate at a predetermined rate, for example, uponexposure to one or more biological fluids (e.g., serum, blood,cerebrospinal fluid, mucous, sweat, gastric secretions, urine and/orsaliva). In certain embodiments, such implanted pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising lyophilized lipid delivery vehicles release, forexample, encapsulated polynucleotides over at least 1, 2, 7, 10, 14, 21,30, 45, 60, 90, 120 days or longer. Alternatively, such implantedcompositions comprising lyophilized lipid delivery vehicles release, forexample, encapsulated polynucleotides over at least one, two, three,six, twelve, sixteen twenty-four, thirty-six months or longer.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprisinglyophilized lipid delivery vehicles provided by the invention herein maybe reconstituted prior to administration to a subject (e.g., a mammal).Upon reconstitution (e.g., using purified water or 5% dextrose as arehydration media) the reconstituted aqueous composition may beadministered to a subject by one or more of the following routes ofadministration: intravenously, orally, rectally, vaginally,transmucosally, sublingually, subdurally, nasally, intramuscularly,subcutaneously, intramedullary injection, intrathecally,intraventricularly, intraperitoneally, intranasally, opthalmicallyand/or intraocularly.

The invention also provides are methods of treating disease (e.g., adisease associated with the aberrant expression of a gene or nucleicacid) in a subject, wherein the method comprises administering one ormore of the compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions of theinvention to the subject. Also contemplated are methods of transfectingone or more target cells with one or more polynucleotides, wherein themethod comprises contacting the one or more target cells with thecompounds or pharmaceutical composition described herein such that theone or more target cells are transfected with the one or moreencapsulated polynucleotides.

In certain embodiments, the methods of treatment provided by theinvention employ the compositions comprising lyophilized orreconstituted lipid delivery vehicles of the invention, which arecapable of modulating the expression of aberrantly expressed nucleicacids and polynucleotides in one or more target cells and tissues.Accordingly, also provided herein are methods of treating disease in asubject by administering an effective amount of pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising lyophilized lipid delivery vehicles provided bythe invention to a subject (e.g., upon reconstitution with a rehydratingmedia such as sterile water for injection). In certain embodiments, suchmethods may enhance (e.g., increase) the expression of a polynucleotideand/or increase the production and secretion of a functional polypeptideproduct in one or more target cells and tissues (e.g., hepatocytes). Insome embodiments, the targeted cells or tissues aberrantly express thepolynucleotide encapsulated by one or more of the lyophilized lipiddelivery vehicles (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) of the invention.

The invention also provides methods of increasing the expression of oneor more polynucleotides (e.g., mRNA) in one or more target cells,tissues and organs. Generally, such methods comprise contacting thetarget cells with one or more compounds and/or pharmaceutical orliposomal compositions that comprise or otherwise encapsulate one ormore polynucleotides. In some embodiments, the present inventions alsorelated to methods of transfecting one or more cells with apolynucleotide (e.g., comprising the steps of rehydrating a lyophilizedcomposition and contacting such one or more cells with the rehydratedcomposition).

The above discussed and many other features and attendant advantages ofthe present invention will become better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention when taken inconjunction with the accompanying examples. The various embodimentsdescribed herein are complimentary and can be combined or used togetherin a manner understood by the skilled person in view of the teachingscontained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the luminescence output of firefly luciferase proteinin liver and spleen of mice following intravenous administration of anHGT4003-based, firefly luciferase (FFL) mRNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles.The administered HGT4003-based lipid nanoparticles afford an enrichmentof encapsulated mRNA in the liver over the spleen. Values are depictedas median relative light units (RLU)/mg of total protein four hourspost-administration.

FIG. 2 illustrates the luminescence output of firefly luciferase proteinin the brain and spinal cord tissues of mice followingintracerebrovascular (ICV) and intrathecal (IT) administration of anHGT4003-based, firefly luciferase (FFL) mRNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles.The administered HGT4003-based lipid nanoparticles afford an enrichmentof encapsulated mRNA in the brain using the ICV route of administrationas compared to the IT route of administration. Values are depicted asmedian relative light units (RLU)/mg of total protein four hourspost-administration

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The compounds of the invention are useful, for example, as liposomaldelivery vehicles or as components of liposomal delivery vehicles. Incertain embodiments, the compounds disclosed herein may be used as aliposomal composition or alternatively as component of a liposomalcomposition (e.g., as a lipid nanoparticle). The compounds of theinvention may also be employed in pharmaceutical compositions (e.g.,lipid nanoparticles) and methods of administering such pharmaceuticalcompositions to treat or prevent a disease, disorder, or condition or todeliver a therapeutic molecule. In certain embodiments, such compoundsand compositions facilitate the delivery of, for example, encapsulatedmaterials (e.g., polynucleotides) to one or more target cells, tissuesand organs.

The compounds disclosed herein generally comprise one or more cleavablegroups such as, for example, one or more disulfide (S—S) functionalgroups as depicted in formula I below. The terms “cleave” and“cleavable” are generally used herein to mean that one or more chemicalbonds (e.g., one or more of covalent bonds, hydrogen-bonds, van derWaals' forces and/or ionic interactions) between atoms in or adjacent tothe subject functional group are broken (e.g., hydrolyzed) or arecapable of being broken upon exposure to selected conditions (e.g., uponexposure to enzymatic conditions). In certain embodiments, the cleavablegroup is a disulfide functional group, and in particular embodiments isa disulfide group that is capable of being cleaved upon exposure toselected biological conditions (e.g., intracellular conditions). Incertain embodiments, the cleavable group is an ester functional groupthat is capable of being cleaved upon exposure to selected biologicalconditions. For example, the disulfide groups may be cleavedenzymatically or by a hydrolysis, oxidation or reduction reaction. Uponcleavage of such disulfide functional group, the one or more functionalmoieties or groups (e.g., one or more of a head-group and/or atail-group) that are bound thereto may be liberated. Exemplary cleavablegroups may include, but are not limited to, disulfide groups, estergroups, ether groups, and any derivatives thereof (e.g., alkyl and arylesters). In certain embodiments, the cleavable group is not an estergroup or an ether group.

The cleavable groups described herein are generally bound (e.g., boundby one or more of hydrogen-bonds, van der Waals' forces, ionicinteractions and covalent bonds) to one or more functional moieties orgroups (e.g., at least one head-group and at least one tail-group). Incertain embodiments, at least one of the functional moieties or groupsis hydrophilic (e.g., a hydrophilic head-group comprising one or more ofimidazole, guanidinium, amino, imine, enamine, optionally-substitutedalkyl amino and pyridyl). As used herein, the term “hydrophilic” is usedto indicate in qualitative terms that a functional group iswater-preferring, and typically such groups are water-soluble. Forexample, disclosed herein are compounds that comprise a cleavabledisulfide (S—S) functional group bound to one or more hydrophilic groups(e.g., a hydrophilic head-group), wherein such hydrophilic groupscomprise or are selected from the group consisting of imidazole,guanidinium, amino, imine, enamine, an optionally-substituted alkylamino (e.g., an alkyl amino such as dimethylamino) and pyridyl.

In certain embodiments, the selected hydrophilic functional group ormoiety may alter or otherwise impart properties to the compound or tothe liposomal composition of which such compound is a component (e.g.,by improving the transfection efficiencies of a lipid nanoparticle ofwhich the compound is a component). For example, the incorporation ofguanidinium as a hydrophilic head-group in the compounds disclosedherein may promote the fusogenicity of such compound (or of theliposomal composition of which such compound is a component) with thecell membrane of one or more target cells, thereby enhancing, forexample, the transfection efficiencies of such compound. It has beenhypothesized that the nitrogen from the hydrophilic guanidinium moietyforms a six-membered ring transition state which grants stability to theinteraction and thus allows for cellular uptake of encapsulatedmaterials. (Wender, et al., Adv. Drug Del. Rev. (2008) 60: 452-472.)Similarly, the incorporation of one or more amino groups or moietiesinto the disclosed compounds (e.g., as a head-group) may further promotedisruption of the endosomal/lysosomal membrane of the target cell byexploiting the fusogenicity of such amino groups. This is based not onlyon the pKa of the amino group of the composition, but also on theability of the amino group to undergo a hexagonal phase transition andfuse with the target cell surface, i.e., the vesicle membrane.(Koltover, et al. Science (1998) 281: 78-81.) The result is believed topromote the disruption of the vesicle membrane and release of the lipidnanoparticle contents into the target cell.

Similarly, in certain embodiments the incorporation of, for example,imidazole as a hydrophilic head-group in the compounds disclosed hereinmay serve to promote endosomal or lysosomal release of, for example,contents that are encapsulated in a liposomal composition (e.g., lipidnanoparticle) of the invention. Such enhanced release may be achieved byone or both of proton-sponge mediated disruption mechanism and/or anenhanced fusogenicity mechanism. The proton-sponge mechanism is based onthe ability of a compound, and in particular a functional moiety orgroup of the compound, to buffer the acidification of the endosome. Thismay be manipulated or otherwise controlled by the pKa of the compound orof one or more of the functional groups comprising such compound (e.g.,imidazole). Accordingly, in certain embodiments the fusogenicity of, forexample, the imidazole-based compounds disclosed herein (e.g., HGT4001and HGT4004) are related to the endosomal disruption properties, whichare facilitated by such imidazole groups, which have a lower pKarelative to other traditional cationic lipids. Such endosomal disruptionproperties in turn promote osmotic swelling and the disruption of theliposomal membrane, followed by the transfection or intracellularrelease of the polynucleotide materials loaded or encapsultated thereininto the target cell. This phenomenon can be applicable to a variety ofcompounds with desirable pKa profiles in addition to an imidazolemoiety. Such embodiments also include multi-nitrogen basedfunctionalities such as polyamines, poly-peptide (histidine), andnitrogen-based dendritic structures.

The compounds, and in particular the imidazole-based compounds describedherein (e.g., HGT4001 and HGT4004), are also characterized by theirreduced toxicity, in particular relative to traditional lipids andcationic lipids. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical and liposomalcompositions described herein comprise one or more imidazole-basedcationic lipid compounds such that the relative concentration of othermore toxic cationic lipids in such pharmaceutical or liposomalcomposition may be reduced or otherwise eliminated. The imidazole-basedcompounds or lipids (e.g., HGT4001 and/or HGT4004) may be used as thesole cationic lipid in one or more of the pharmaceutical and liposomalcompositions described herein (e.g., lipid nanoparticles), oralternatively may be combined with traditional cationic lipids (e.g.,LIPOFECTIN or LIPOFECTAMINE), non-cationic lipids, helperlipids/cholesterol, and/or PEG-modified lipids. In certain embodiments,the compounds described herein, or alternatively the total cationiclipid component of the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions maycomprise a molar ratio of about 1% to about 90%, about 2% to about 70%,about 5% to about 50%, about 10% to about 40% of the total lipid presentin such pharmaceutical or liposomal composition (e.g., a lipidnanoparticle), or preferably about 20% to about 70% of the total lipidpresent in such pharmaceutical or liposomal composition (e.g., a lipidnanoparticle).

In certain embodiments, at least one of the functional groups ofmoieties that comprise the compounds disclosed herein is hydrophobic innature (e.g., a hydrophobic tail-group comprising a naturally-occurringlipid such as cholesterol). As used herein, the term “hydrophobic” isused to indicate in qualitative terms that a functional group iswater-avoiding, and typically such groups are not water soluble. Forexample, disclosed herein are compounds that comprise a cleavablefunctional group (e.g., a disulfide (S—S) group) bound to one or morehydrophobic groups, wherein such hydrophobic groups comprise one or morenaturally occurring lipids such as cholesterol, and/or an optionallysubstituted, variably saturated or unsaturated C₆-C₂₀ alkyl and/or anoptionally substituted, variably saturated or unsaturated C₆-C₂₀ acyl.

In certain embodiments, the compounds disclosed herein comprise, forexample, at least one hydrophilic head-group and at least onehydrophobic tail-group, each bound to at least one cleavable group,thereby rendering such compounds amphiphilic. As used herein to describea compound or composition, the term “amphiphilic” means the ability todissolve in both polar (e.g., water) and non-polar (e.g., lipid)environments. For example, in certain embodiments, the compoundsdisclosed herein comprise at least one lipophilic tail-group (e.g.,cholesterol or a C₆-C₂₀ alkyl) and at least one hydrophilic head-group(e.g., imidazole), each bound to a cleavable group (e.g., disulfide).

It should be noted that the terms “head-group” and “tail-group” as useddescribe the compounds of the present invention, and in particularfunctional groups that comprise such compounds, are used for ease ofreference to describe the orientation of one or more functional groupsrelative to other functional groups. For example, in certain embodimentsa hydrophilic head-group (e.g., guanidinium) is bound (e.g., by one ormore of hydrogen-bonds, van der Waals' forces, ionic interactions andcovalent bonds) to a cleavable functional group (e.g., a disulfidegroup), which in turn is bound to a hydrophobic tail-group (e.g.,cholesterol).

Also disclosed herein are compounds having the structure of formula I,

wherein R₁ is selected from the group consisting of imidazole,guanidinium, amino, imine, enamine, an optionally-substituted alkylamino (e.g., an alkyl amino such as dimethylamino) and pyridyl; whereinR₂ is selected from the group consisting of formula II and formula III;

wherein R₃ and R₄ are each independently selected from the groupconsisting of an optionally substituted, variably saturated orunsaturated C₆-C₂₀ alkyl and an optionally substituted, variablysaturated or unsaturated C₆-C₂₀ acyl; and wherein n is zero or anypositive integer (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen,seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty or more). In certain embodiments,each of R₃ and R₄ comprise an optionally substituted, polyunsaturatedC₁₈ alkyl, while in other embodiments R₃ and R₄ are each anunsubstituted, polyunsaturated C₁₈ alkyl. In certain embodiments, eachof R₃ and R₄ are (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien. In certain embodiments, nis 1 (such that the alkyl is ethyl), 2 (such that the alkyl is methyl),3 (such that the alkyl is, for example, propyl or iso-propyl), 4 (suchthat the alkyl is, for example, butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl orter-butyl), 5 (such that the alkyl is, for example, pentane), 6 (suchthat the alkyl is, for example, hexane), 7 (such that the alkyl is, forexample, heptane), 8 (such that the alkyl is, for example, octane), 9 (nsuch that the alkyl is, for example, nonane) or 10 (such that the alkylis, for example, decane).

As used herein, the term “alkyl” refers to both straight and branchedchain C₁-C₄₀ hydrocarbons (e.g., C₆-C₂₀ hydrocarbons), and include bothsaturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. In certain embodiments, thealkyl may comprise one or more cyclic alkyls and/or one or moreheteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur and may optionally besubstituted with substituents (e.g., one or more of alkyl, halo,alkoxyl, hydroxy, amino, aryl, ether, ester or amide). In certainembodiments, a contemplated alkyl includes (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien.The use of designations such as, for example, “C₆-C₂₀” is intended torefer to an alkyl (e.g., straight or branched chain and inclusive ofalkenes and alkyls) having the recited range carbon atoms.

As used herein, the term “aryl” refers to aromatic groups (e.g.,monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic structures) containing six to tencarbons in the ring portion. The aryl groups may be optionallysubstituted through available carbon atoms and in certain embodimentsmay include one or more heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur.

Also disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions that comprise thecompound of formula I, wherein R₁ is selected from the group consistingof imidazole, guanidinium, amino, imine, enamine, anoptionally-substituted alkyl amino (e.g., dimethylamino) and pyridyl;wherein R₂ is formula II; and wherein n is zero or any positive integer(e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten ormore). Further disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositionscomprising the compound of formula I, wherein R₁ is selected from thegroup consisting of imidazole, guanidinium, imine, enamine, amino, anoptionally-substituted alkyl amino (e.g., dimethylamino) and pyridyl;wherein R₂ is formula III; wherein R₃ and R₄ are each independentlyselected from the group consisting of an optionally substituted,variably saturated or unsaturated C₆-C₂₀ alkyl and an optionallysubstituted, variably saturated or unsaturated C₆-C₂₀ acyl; and whereinn is zero or any positive integer. In certain embodiments, R₃ and R₄ areeach an optionally substituted, polyunsaturated C₁₈ alkyl, while inother embodiments R₃ and R₄ are each an unsubstituted, polyunsaturatedC₁₈ alkyl. In certain embodiments, a contemplated alkyl includes(9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien.

In certain embodiments, the R₁ group or head-group is a polar orhydrophilic group (e.g., one or more of the imidazole, guanidinium andamino groups) and is bound to the R₂ lipid group by way of the disulfide(S—S) cleavable linker group, for example as depicted in formula I. TheR₁ group or head-group may be covalently bound to the cleavable linkergroup by way of an alkyl group (e.g., a C₁-C₂₀ alkyl where n is one totwenty), or alternatively may be directly bound to the cleavable linkergroup (e.g., where n is zero). The compounds and pharmaceuticalcompositions disclosed herein may be prepared such that upon exposure toselected conditions (e.g., appropriate biological or enzymaticconditions) the cleavable linker group (e.g., a disulfide group) iscleaved and thereby causes the dissociation of one or more of thefunctional groups or moieties (e.g., a head- and/or tail-group) boundthereto. The dissociation of the functional groups or moieties (e.g., anR₁ hydrophilic group such as imidazole) may cause a phase transition inthe liposomal composition of which one or more of the compoundsdisclosed herein is a component which thereby destabilizes the liposomeand facilitates fusion with the membrane of one or more target cells.Other contemplated cleavable linker groups may include compositions thatcomprise one or more disulfide (S—S) linker group bound (e.g.,covalently bound) to, for example an alkyl group (e.g., C₁ to C₁₀alkyl).

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the compound5-(((10,13-dimethyl-17-(6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl)disulfanyl)methyl)-1H-imidazole,having the structure of formula IV (referred to herein as “HGT4001”).

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the compound1-(2-(((3S,10R,13R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-((R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl)disulfanyl)ethyl)guanidine, having the structure of formula V (referred to herein as“HGT4002”).

In certain embodiments, the invention provides the compound2-((2,3-Bis((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yloxy)propyl)disulfanyl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine,having the structure of formula VI (referred to herein as “HGT4003”).

In other embodiments, the invention provides the compound5-(((2,3-bis((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yloxy)propyl)disulfanyl)methyl)-1H-imidazolehaving the structure of formula VII (referred to herein as “HGT4004”).

In still other embodiments, the invention provides the compound1-(((2,3-bis((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yloxy)propyl)disulfanyl)methyl)guanidinehaving the structure of formula VIII (referred to herein as “HGT4005”).

The compounds described herein may be used to construct liposomalcompositions that facilitate or enhance the delivery and release ofencapsulated materials (e.g., one or more therapeutic polynucleotides)to one or more target cells (e.g., by permeating or fusing with thelipid membranes of such target cells). In certain embodiments, the oneor more cleavable functional groups that comprise such compounds allow,for example, a hydrophilic functional head-group to be dissociated(e.g., upon exposure to reducing or acidic conditions) from a lipophilicfunctional tail-group of the compound, thereby facilitating a phasetransitions in the lipid bilayer of one or more target cells. Forexample, when a liposomal composition (e.g., a lipid nanoparticle)comprises or is otherwise enriched with one or more of the compoundsdisclosed herein, the phase transition in the lipid bilayer of the oneor more target cells facilitates the delivery of the encapsulatedmaterials (e.g., one or more therapeutic polynucleotides encapsulated ina lipid nanoparticle) into the one or more target cells.

In certain embodiments the compounds described herein are characterizedas having one or more properties that afford such compounds advantagesrelative to other similarly classified lipids. For example, in certainembodiments, the compounds disclosed herein allow for the control andtailoring of the properties of liposomal compositions (e.g., lipidnanoparticles) of which they are a component. In particular, thecompounds disclosed herein may be characterized by enhanced transfectionefficiencies and their ability to provoke specific biological outcomes.Such outcomes may include, for example enhanced cellular uptake,endosomal/lysosomal disruption capabilities and/or promoting the releaseof encapsulated materials (e.g., polynucleotides) intracellularly.

In certain embodiments the compounds described herein (and thepharmaceutical and liposomal compositions comprising such compounds)employ a multifunctional strategy to facilitate the delivery ofencapsulated materials (e.g., one or more polynucleotides) to, andsubsequent transfection of one or more target cells. For example, incertain embodiments the compounds described herein (and thepharmaceutical and liposomal compositions comprising such compounds) arecharacterized as having one or more of receptor-mediated endocytosis,clathrin-mediated and caveolae-mediated endocytosis, phagocytosis andmacropinocytosis, fusogenicity, endosomal or lysosomal disruption and/orreleasable properties that afford such compounds advantages relativeother similarly classified lipids.

In certain embodiments the compounds and the pharmaceutical andliposomal compositions of which such compounds are a component (e.g.,lipid nanoparticles) exhibit an enhanced (e.g., increased) ability totransfect one or more target cells. Accordingly, also provided hereinare methods of transfecting one or more target cells. Such methodsgenerally comprise the step of contacting the one or more target cellswith the compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein(e.g., an HGT4003-based lipid nanoparticle encapsulating one or morepolynucleotides) such that the one or more target cells are transfectedwith the materials encapsulated therein (e.g., one or morepolynucleotides). As used herein, the terms “transfect” or“transfection” refer to the intracellular introduction of one or moreencapsulated materials (e.g., nucleic acids and/or polynucleotides) intoa cell, or preferably into a target cell. The introduced polynucleotidemay be stably or transiently maintained in the target cell. The term“transfection efficiency” refers to the relative amount of suchencapsulated material (e.g., polynucleotides) up-taken by, introducedinto and/or expressed by the target cell which is subject totransfection. In practice, transfection efficiency is estimated by theamount of a reporter polynucleotide product produced by the target cellsfollowing transfection. In certain embodiments, the compounds andpharmaceutical compositions described herein demonstrate hightransfection efficiencies thereby improving the likelihood thatappropriate dosages of the encapsulated materials (e.g., one or morepolynucleotides) will be delivered to the site of pathology andsubsequently expressed, while at the same time minimizing potentialsystemic adverse effects.

A wide range of materials that can exert pharmaceutical or therapeuticeffects can be delivered to target cells using the compounds,compositions and methods of the present invention. Accordingly, thecompounds and pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions described hereinmay be used to encapsulate any materials suitable for intracellulardelivery. In certain embodiments, such encapsulated materials arecapable of conferring a therapeutic or diagnostic benefit upon the cellsinto which such materials are delivered, and may include any drugs,biologics and/or diagnostics. The materials can be organic or inorganic.Organic molecules can be peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids,sterols, nucleic acids (including peptide nucleic acids), or anycombination thereof. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical andliposomal compositions described herein can comprise or otherwiseencapsulate more than one type of material, for example, two or moredifferent polynucleotide sequences encoding a protein, an enzyme and/ora steroid. In certain embodiments, the encapsulated materials are one ormore polynucleotides and nucleic acids.

As used herein, the terms “polynucleotide” and “nucleic acid” are usedinterchangeably to refer to genetic material (e.g., DNA or RNA), andwhen such terms are used with respect to the compounds and compositionsdescribed herein (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) generally refer to thegenetic material encapsulated by such compounds and compositions (e.g.,lipid nanoparticles). In some embodiments, the polynucleotide is RNA.Suitable RNA includes mRNA, siRNA, miRNA, snRNA and snoRNA. Contemplatedpolynucleotides also include large intergenic non-coding RNA (lincRNA),which generally does not encode proteins, but rather function, forexample, in immune signaling, stem cell biology and the development ofdisease. (See, e.g., Guttman, et al., 458: 223-227 (2009); and Ng, etal., Nature Genetics 42: 1035-1036 (2010), the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference). In preferred embodiments, thepolynucleotide is mRNA. In certain embodiments, the polynucleotidesencapsulated by the compounds or pharmaceutical and liposomalcompositions of the invention include RNA or stabilized RNA encoding aprotein or enzyme (e.g., mRNA encoding alfa galactosidase). The presentinvention contemplates the use of such polynucleotides (and inparticular RNA or stabilized RNA) as a therapeutic that is capable ofbeing expressed by target cells to thereby facilitate the production(and in certain instances the excretion) of a functional enzyme orprotein by such target cells as disclosed for example, in InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2010/058457 and in U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/494,881, filed Jun. 8, 2011, the teachings of which are bothincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. For example, incertain embodiments, upon the expression of one or more polynucleotidesby target cells the production of a functional enzyme or protein inwhich a subject is deficient (e.g., a urea cycle enzyme or an enzymeassociated with a lysosomal storage disorder) may be observed. The term“functional”, as used herein to qualify a protein or enzyme, means thatthe protein or enzyme has biological activity, or alternatively is ableto perform the same, or a similar function as the native ornormally-functioning protein or enzyme.

In the context of the present invention the term “expression” is used inits broadest sense to refer to either the transcription of a specificgene or polynucleotide into at least one mRNA transcript, or thetranslation of at least one mRNA or polynucleotide into a protein orenzyme. For example, in certain embodiments the compounds and thepharmaceutical or liposomal compositions described herein comprise apolynucleotide (e.g., mRNA) which encodes a functional protein orenzyme. In the context of such mRNA polynucleotides, the term expressionrefers to the translation of such mRNA (e.g., by the target cells) toproduce the polypeptide or protein encoded thereby.

In certain embodiments, the compounds and pharmaceutical compositionsprovided herein are capable of modulating the expression of aberrantlyexpressed nucleic acids and polynucleotides in one or more target cellsand tissues. Accordingly, also provided herein are methods of treatingdisease in a subject by administering an effective amount of thecompounds and/or the pharmaceutical or liposomal compositions describedherein to the subject. In certain embodiments, such methods may enhance(e.g., increase) the expression of a polynucleotide and/or increase theproduction and secretion of a functional polypeptide product in one ormore target cells and tissues (e.g., hepatocytes). In some embodiments,the targeted cells or tissues aberrantly express the polynucleotideencapsulated by one or more of the compounds or pharmaceutical andliposomal compositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) described herein.Also provided herein are methods of increasing the expression of one ormore polynucleotides (e.g., mRNA) in one or more target cells, tissuesand organs. Generally, such methods comprise contacting the target cellswith one or more compounds and/or pharmaceutical or liposomalcompositions that comprise or otherwise encapsulate one or morepolynucleotides.

In certain embodiments, the compounds disclosed herein may be used as aliposome or as a component of a liposome. Specifically, in certainembodiments the compounds disclosed herein may be used as a lipid (e.g.,cationic lipid) component of a liposomal composition (e.g., a lipidnanoparticle). Such liposomes may be used to encapsulate materials andfacilitate the delivery of such materials to one or more target cells,tissues and organs. As used herein, the term “liposome” generally refersto a vesicle composed of lipids (e.g., amphiphilic lipids) arranged inone or more spherical bilayer or bilayers. In certain embodiments, theliposome is a lipid nanoparticle (e.g., a lipid nanoparticle comprisingone or more of the cationic lipid compounds disclosed herein). Suchliposomes may be unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles which have amembrane formed from a lipophilic material and an aqueous interior thatcontains the encapsulated materials (e.g., polynucleotides) to bedelivered to one or more target cells, tissues and organs. In certainembodiments, the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions describedherein comprise one or more lipid nanoparticles. Contemplated liposomesinclude lipid nanoparticles. Examples of suitable lipids (e.g., cationiclipids) that may be used to form the liposomes and lipid nanoparticlescontemplated hereby include one or more of the compounds disclosedherein (e.g., HGT4001, HGT4002, HGT4003, HGT4004 and/or HGT4005). Suchliposomes and lipid nanoparticles may also comprise additional cationiclipids such as C12-200, DLin-KC2-DMA, and/or HGT5001, non-cationiclipids, helper/cholesterol-based lipids, PEG-modified lipids, as well asthe phosphatidyl compounds (e.g., phosphatidylglycerol,phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine,sphingolipids, cerebrosides, and gangliosides) and combinations ormixtures of the forgoing.

Several cationic lipids have been described in the literature, many ofwhich are commercially available. In certain embodiments, such cationiclipids are included in the pharmaceutical or liposomal compositionsdescribed herein in addition to one or more of the compounds or lipidsdisclosed herein (e.g., HGT4003). In some embodiments, the cationiclipid N-[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride or“DOTMA” is used. (Feigner et al. (Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. 84, 7413(1987); U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,355). DOTMA can be formulated alone or canbe combined with a neutral lipid, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine or“DOPE” or other cationic or non-cationic lipids into a lipidnanoparticle. Other suitable cationic lipids include, for example,ionizable cationic lipids as described in U.S. provisional patentapplication 61/617,468, filed Mar. 29, 2012 (incorporated herein byreference), such as, e.g,(15Z,18Z)-N,N-dimethyl-6-(9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yl)tetracosa-15,18-dien-1-amine(HGT5000),(15Z,18Z)-N,N-dimethyl-6-((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yl)tetracosa-4,15,18-trien-1-amine(HGT5001), and(15Z,18Z)-N,N-dimethyl-6-((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yl)tetracosa-5,15,18-trien-1-amine(HGT5002); C12-200 (WO 2010/053572),2-(2,2-di((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine(DLinKC2-DMA)) (See, WO 2010/042877; Semple et al., nature Biotech.28:172-176 (2010)),2-(2,2-di((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yl)-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine“DLin-KC2-DMA,”(3S,10R,13R,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-((R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2, 3, 4, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoate “ICE,”(15Z,18Z)-N,N-dimethyl-6-(9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yl)tetracosa-15,18-dien-1-amine“HGT5000,”(15Z,18Z)-N,N-dimethyl-6-((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yl)tetracosa-4,15,18-trien-1-amine“HGT5001,” and(15Z,18Z)-N,N-dimethyl-6-((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yl)tetracosa-5,15,18-trien-1-amine“HGT5002,” 5-carboxyspermylglycine-dioctadecylamide or “DOGS,”2,3-dioleyloxy-N-[2(spermine-carboxamido)ethyl]-N,N-dimethyl-1-propanaminiumor “DOSPA” (Behr et al. Proc. Nat.'l Acad. Sci. 86, 6982 (1989); U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,171,678; 5,334,761), 1,2-Dioleoyl-3-Dimethylammonium-Propaneor “DODAP”, 1,2-Dioleoyl-3-Trimethylammonium-Propane or “DOTAP”.Contemplated cationic lipids also include1,2-distearyloxy-N,N-dimethyl-3-aminopropane or “DSDMA”,1,2-dioleyloxy-N,N-dimethyl-3-aminopropane or “DODMA”,1,2-dilinoleyloxy-N,N-dimethyl-3-aminopropane or “DLinDMA”,1,2-dilinolenyloxy-N,N-dimethyl-3-aminopropane or “DLenDMA”,N-dioleyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride or “DODAC”,N,N-distearyl-N,N-dimethylammonium bromide or “DDAB”,N-(1,2-dimyristyloxyprop-3-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-N-hydroxyethyl ammoniumbromide or “DMRIE”,3-dimethylamino-2-(cholest-5-en-3-beta-oxybutan-4-oxy)-1-(cis,cis-9,12-octadecadienoxy)propaneor “CLinDMA”,2-[5′-(cholest-5-en-3-beta-oxy)-3′-oxapentoxy)-3-dimethyl-1-(cis,cis-9′,1-2′-octadecadienoxy)propaneor “CpLinDMA”, N,N-dimethyl-3,4-dioleyloxybenzylamine or “DMOBA”,1,2-N,N′-dioleylcarbamyl-3-dimethylaminopropane or “DOcarbDAP”,2,3-Dilinoleoyloxy-N,N-dimethylpropylamine or “DLinDAP”,1,2-N,N′-Dilinoleylcarbamyl-3-dimethylaminopropane or “DLincarbDAP”,1,2-Dilinoleoylcarbamyl-3-dimethylaminopropane or “DLinCDAP”,2,2-dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminomethyl-[1,3]-dioxolane or “DLin-K-DMA”,2,2-dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl-[1,3]-dioxolane or“DLin-K-XTC2-DMA”, or mixtures thereof. (Heyes, J., et al., J ControlledRelease 107: 276-287 (2005); Morrissey, D V., et al., Nat. Biotechnol.23(8): 1003-1007 (2005); PCT Publication WO2005/121348A1). The use ofcholesterol-based cationic lipids to formulate the compositions (e.g.,lipid nanoparticles) is also contemplated by the present invention. Suchcholesterol-based cationic lipids can be used, either alone or incombination with other cationic or non-cationic lipids. Suitablecholesterol-based cationic lipids include, for example, DC-Chol(N,N-dimethyl-N-ethylcarboxamidocholesterol),1,4-bis(3-N-oleylamino-propyl)piperazine (Gao, et al. Biochem. Biophys.Res. Comm. 179, 280 (1991); Wolf et al. BioTechniques 23, 139 (1997);U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,335).

Also contemplated are cationic lipids such as the dialkylamino-based,imidazole-based, and guanidinium-based lipids. For example, alsocontemplated is the use of the cationic lipid(3S,10R,13R,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-((R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2, 3, 4, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoate or “ICE”, as disclosed in InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2010/058457, incorporated herein by reference.

The use and inclusion of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modifiedphospholipids and derivatized lipids such as derivatized ceramides(PEG-CER), including N-Octanoyl-Sphingosine-1-[Succinyl(MethoxyPolyethylene Glycol)-2000] (C8 PEG-2000 ceramide) in the liposomal andpharmaceutical compositions described herein is also contemplated,preferably in combination with one or more of the compounds and lipidsdisclosed herein. Contemplated PEG-modified lipids include, but are notlimited to, a polyethylene glycol chain of up to 5 kDa in lengthcovalently attached to a lipid with alkyl chain(s) of C₆-C₂₀ length. Insome embodiments, the PEG-modified lipid employed in the compositionsand methods of the invention is 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycerol,methoxypolyethylene Glycol (2000 MW PEG) “DMG-PEG2000.” The addition ofPEG-modified lipids to the lipid delivery vehicle may prevent complexaggregation and may also provide a means for increasing circulationlifetime and increasing the delivery of the lipid-polynucleotidecomposition to the target tissues, (Klibanov et al. (1990) FEBS Letters,268 (1): 235-237), or they may be selected to rapidly exchange out ofthe formulation in vivo (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,613). Particularlyuseful exchangeable lipids are PEG-ceramides having shorter acyl chains(e.g., C14 or C18). The PEG-modified phospholipid and derivitized lipidsof the present invention may comprise a molar ratio from about 0% toabout 20%, about 0.5% to about 20%, about 1% to about 15%, about 4% toabout 10%, or about 2% of the total lipid present in a liposomal lipidnanoparticle.

The present invention also contemplates the use of non-cationic lipidsin one or more of the pharmaceutical or liposomal compositions (e.g.,lipid nanoparticles). Such non-cationic lipids are preferably used incombination with one or more of the compounds and lipids disclosedherein. As used herein, the phrase “non-cationic lipid” refers to anyneutral, zwitterionic or anionic lipid. As used herein, the phrase“anionic lipid” refers to any of a number of lipid species that carry anet negative charge at a selected pH, such as physiological pH.Non-cationic lipids include, but are not limited to,distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC), dioleoylphosphatidylcholine(DOPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC),dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol(DPPG), dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE),palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC),palmitoyloleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (POPE),dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine4-(N-maleimidomethyp-cyclohexane-1-carboxylate (DOPE-mal), dipalmitoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine (DPPE), dimyristoylphosphoethanolamine (DMPE),distearoyl-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (DSPE), DLPE(1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), DPPS(1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine), 16-O-monomethyl PE,16-O-dimethyl PE, 18-1-trans PE,1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidyethanolamine (SOPE), ceramides,sphingomyelins, cholesterol, or a mixture thereof. Such non-cationiclipids may be used alone, but are preferably used in combination withother excipients, for example, one or more of the cationic lipidcompounds disclosed herein (e.g., HGT4001, HGT4002, HGT4003, HGT4004and/or HGT4005). When used in combination with a cationic lipid, thenon-cationic lipid may comprise a molar ratio of 5% to about 90%, orpreferably about 10% to about 70% of the total lipid present in thelipid nanoparticle.

Also contemplated is inclusion of polymers in the lipid nanoparticlesthat comprise the pharmaceutical or liposomal compositions describedherein. Suitable polymers may include, for example, polyacrylates,polyalkycyanoacrylates, polylactide, polylactide-polyglycolidecopolymers, polycaprolactones, dextran, albumin, gelatin, alginate,collagen, chitosan, cyclodextrins and polyethylenimine. Such polymersmay be used alone, but are preferably used in combination with otherexcipients, for example, one or more of the cationic lipid compoundsdisclosed herein (e.g., HGT4001, HGT4002, HGT4003, HGT4004 and/orHGT4005).

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions(e.g., lipid nanoparticles) are formulated based in part upon theirability to facilitate the transfection (e.g., of a polynucleotide) of atarget cell. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical and liposomalcompositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) may be selected and/or preparedto optimize delivery of polynucleotides to a target cell, tissue ororgan. For example, if the target cell is a hepatocyte the properties ofthe pharmaceutical and/or liposomal compositions (e.g., size, chargeand/or pH) may be optimized to effectively deliver such composition(e.g., lipid nanoparticles) to the target cell or organ, reduce immuneclearance and/or promote retention in that target organ. Alternatively,if the target tissue is the central nervous system the selection andpreparation of the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions mustconsider penetration of, and retention within the blood brain barrierand/or the use of alternate means of directly delivering suchcompositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) to such target tissue (e.g.,via intracerebrovascular administration). In certain embodiments, thepharmaceutical or liposomal compositions or their constituent lipidnanoparticles may be combined with agents that facilitate the transferof encapsulated materials (e.g., agents which disrupt or improve thepermeability of the blood brain barrier and thereby enhance the transferof such encapsulated polynucleotides to the target cells). While thepharmaceutical and liposomal compositions described herein (e.g lipidnanoparticles) can facilitate introduction of encapsulated materialssuch as one or more polynucleotides into target cells, the addition ofpolycations (e.g., poly L-lysine and protamine) to, for example one ormore of the lipid nanoparticles that comprise the pharmaceuticalcompositions as a copolymer can also facilitate, and in some instancesmarkedly enhance the transfection efficiency of several types ofcationic liposomes by 2-28 fold in a number of cell lines both in vitroand in vivo. (See, N. J. Caplen, et al., Gene Ther. 1995; 2: 603; S. Li,et al., Gene Ther. 1997; 4, 891.)

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the pharmaceutical andliposomal compositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) are prepared toencapsulate one or more materials or therapeutic agents (e.g.,polynucleotides). The process of incorporating a desired therapeuticagent (e.g., mRNA) into a liposome or a lipid nanoparticle is referredto herein as or “loading” or “encapsulating” (Lasic, et al., FEBS Lett.,312: 255-258, 1992). The lipid nanoparticle-loaded or -encapsulatedmaterials (e.g., polynucleotides) may be completely or partially locatedin the interior space of the lipid nanoparticle, within the bilayermembrane of the lipid nanoparticle, or associated with the exteriorsurface of the lipid nanoparticle.

Loading or encapsulating, for example, a polynucleotide into a lipidnanoparticle may serve to protect the polynucleotide from an environmentwhich may contain enzymes or chemicals (e.g., serum) that degrade suchpolynucleotides and/or systems or receptors that cause the rapidexcretion of such polynucleotides. Accordingly, in some embodiments, thecompositions described herein are capable of enhancing the stability ofthe polynucleotide(s) encapsulated thereby, particularly with respect tothe environments into which such polynucleotides will be exposed.Encapsulating materials, such as for example polynucleotides into one ormore of the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions described herein(e.g., lipid nanoparticles) also facilitates the delivery of suchpolynucleotides into the target cells and tissues. For example, lipidnanoparticles comprising one or more of the lipid compounds describedherein can allow the encapsulated polynucleotide to reach the targetcell or may preferentially allow the encapsulated polynucleotide toreach the target cells or organs on a discriminatory basis (e.g., thelipid nanoparticles may concentrate in the liver or spleens of a subjectto which such lipid nanoparticles are administered). Alternatively, thelipid nanoparticles may limit the delivery of encapsulatedpolynucleotides to other non-targeted cells or organs where the presenceof the encapsulated polynucleotides may be undesirable or of limitedutility.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositionsdescribed herein (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) are prepared by combiningmultiple lipid components (e.g., one or more of the compounds disclosedherein) with one or more polymer components. For example, a lipidnanoparticle may be prepared using HGT4003, DOPE, CHOL and DMG-PEG2000.A lipid nanoparticle may be comprised of additional lipid combinationsin various ratios, including for example, HGT4001, DOPE and DMG-PEG2000.The selection of cationic lipids, non-cationic lipids and/orPEG-modified lipids which comprise the lipid nanoparticles, as well asthe relative molar ratio of such lipids to each other, is based upon thecharacteristics of the selected lipid(s), the nature of the intendedtarget cells or tissues and the characteristics of the materials orpolynucleotides to be delivered by the lipid nanoparticle. Additionalconsiderations include, for example, the saturation of the alkyl chain,as well as the size, charge, pH, pKa, fusogenicity and toxicity of theselected lipid(s).

The pharmaceutical and liposomal composition (e.g., lipid nanoparticles)for use in the present invention can be prepared by various techniqueswhich are presently known in the art. Multi-lamellar vesicles (MLV) maybe prepared conventional techniques, for example, by depositing aselected lipid on the inside wall of a suitable container or vessel bydissolving the lipid in an appropriate solvent, and then evaporating thesolvent to leave a thin film on the inside of the vessel or by spraydrying. An aqueous phase may then added to the vessel with a vortexingmotion which results in the formation of MLVs. Uni-lamellar vesicles(ULV) can then be formed by homogenization, sonication or extrusion ofthe multi-lamellar vesicles. In addition, unilamellar vesicles can beformed by detergent removal techniques.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions ofthe present invention comprise a lipid nanoparticle wherein theencapsulated polynucleotide (e.g., mRNA) is associated on both thesurface of the lipid nanoparticle and encapsulated within the same lipidnanoparticle. For example, during preparation of the compositions of thepresent invention, one or more of the cationic lipid compounds describedherein and which comprise the lipid nanoparticles may associate with thepolynucleotides (e.g., mRNA) through electrostatic interactions withsuch polynucleotides.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions ofthe present invention may be loaded with diagnostic radionuclide,fluorescent materials or other materials that are detectable in both invitro and in vivo applications. For example, suitable diagnosticmaterials for use in the present invention may includeRhodamine-dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (Rh-PE), Green FluorescentProtein mRNA (GFP mRNA), Renilla Luciferase mRNA and Firefly LuciferasemRNA (SEQ ID NO: 1).

During the preparation of liposomal compositions described herein, watersoluble carrier agents may be also encapsulated in the aqueous interiorby including them in the hydrating solution, and lipophilic moleculesmay be incorporated into the lipid bilayer by inclusion in the lipidformulation. In the case of certain molecules (e.g., cationic or anioniclipophilic polynucleotides), loading of the polynucleotide intopreformed lipid nanoparticles or liposomes may be accomplished, forexample, by the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,683, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Followingencapsulation of the polynucleotide, the lipid nanoparticles may beprocessed to remove un-encapsulated mRNA through processes such as gelchromatography, diafiltration or ultrafiltration. For example, if it isdesirous to remove externally bound polynucleotide from the surface ofthe liposomal compositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) described herein,such lipid nanoparticles may be subject to a Diethylaminoethyl SEPHACELcolumn.

In addition to the encapsulated materials (e.g., polynucleotides or oneor more therapeutic or diagnostic agents) may be included orencapsulated in the lipid nanoparticle. For example, such additionaltherapeutic agents may be associated with the surface of the lipidnanoparticle, can be incorporated into the lipid bilayer of the lipidnanoparticle by inclusion in the lipid formulation or loading intopreformed lipid nanoparticles (See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,194,654 and5,223,263, which are incorporated by reference herein).

There are several methods for reducing the the size, or “sizing”, of theliposomal compositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) disclosed herein, andany of these methods may generally be employed when sizing is used aspart of the invention. The extrusion method is a one method of liposomesizing. (Hope, M J et al. Reduction of Liposome Size and Preparation ofUnilamellar Vesicles by Extrusion Techniques. In: Liposome Technology(G. Gregoriadis, Ed.) Vol. 1. p 123 (1993)). The method consists ofextruding liposomes through a small-pore polycarbonate membrane or anasymmetric ceramic membrane to reduce liposome sizes to a relativelywell-defined size distribution. Typically, the suspension is cycledthrough the membrane one or more times until the desired liposome sizedistribution is achieved. The liposomes may be extruded throughsuccessively smaller pore membranes to achieve gradual reduction inliposome size.

A variety of alternative methods known in the art are available forsizing of a population of lipid nanoparticles. One such sizing method isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,323, incorporated herein by reference.Sonicating a liposome or lipid nanoparticle suspension either by bath orprobe sonication produces a progressive size reduction down to small ULVless than about 0.05 microns in diameter. Homogenization is anothermethod that relies on shearing energy to fragment large liposomes intosmaller ones. In a typical homogenization procedure, MLV arerecirculated through a standard emulsion homogenizer until selectedliposome sizes, typically between about 0.1 and 0.5 microns, areobserved. The size of the lipid nanoparticles may be determined byquasi-electric light scattering (QELS) as described in Bloomfield, Ann.Rev. Biophys. Bioeng., 10:421-450 (1981), incorporated herein byreference. Average lipid nanoparticle diameter may be reduced bysonication of formed lipid nanoparticles. Intermittent sonication cyclesmay be alternated with QELS assessment to guide efficient liposomesynthesis.

Selection of the appropriate size of the liposomal compositionsdescribed herein (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) must take intoconsideration the site of the target cell or tissue and to some extentthe application for which the lipid nanoparticle is being made. As usedherein, the phrase “target cell” refers to cells to which one or more ofthe pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions described herein are to bedirected or targeted. In some embodiments, the target cells comprise aparticular tissue or organ. In some embodiments, the target cells aredeficient in a protein or enzyme of interest. For example, where it isdesired to deliver a polynucleotide to a hepatocyte, the hepatocyterepresents the target cell. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical orliposomal compositions (and for example the polynucleotide materialsencapsulated therein) of the present invention transfect the targetcells on a discriminatory basis (i.e., do not transfect non-targetcells). The compositions and methods of the present invention may beprepared to preferentially target a variety of target cells, whichinclude, but are not limited to, hepatocytes, epithelial cells,hematopoietic cells, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, lung cells,bone cells, stem cells, mesenchymal cells, neural cells (e.g., meninges,astrocytes, motor neurons, cells of the dorsal root ganglia and anteriorhorn motor neurons), photoreceptor cells (e.g., rods and cones), retinalpigmented epithelial cells, secretory cells, cardiac cells, adipocytes,vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiomyocytes, skeletal muscle cells,beta cells, pituitary cells, synovial lining cells, ovarian cells,testicular cells, fibroblasts, B cells, T cells, reticulocytes,leukocytes, granulocytes and tumor cells.

Following transfection of one or more target cells by, for example, thepolynucleotides encapsulated in the one or more lipid nanoparticlescomprising the pharmaceutical or liposomal compositions disclosedherein, the production of the product (e.g., a polypeptide or protein)encoded by such polynucleotide may be preferably stimulated and thecapability of such target cells to express the polynucleotide andproduce, for example, a polypeptide or protein of interest is enhanced.For example, transfection of a target cell by one or more compounds orpharmaceutical compositions encapsulating mRNA will enhance (i.e.,increase) the production of the protein or enzyme encoded by such mRNA.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to limit transfection of thepolynucleotides to certain cells or tissues. For example, the liverrepresents an important target organ for the compositions of the presentinvention in part due to its central role in metabolism and productionof proteins and accordingly diseases which are caused by defects inliver-specific gene products (e.g., the urea cycle disorders) maybenefit from specific targeting of cells (e.g., hepatocytes).Accordingly, in certain embodiments of the present invention, thestructural characteristics of the target tissue may be exploited todirect the distribution of the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositionsof the present invention (e.g., an HGT4001-based lipid nanoparticle) tosuch target tissues. For example, to target hepatocytes one or more ofthe lipid nanoparticles that comprise the pharmaceutical or liposomalcompositions described herein may be sized such that their dimensionsare smaller than the fenestrations of the endothelial layer lininghepatic sinusoids in the liver; accordingly the one or more of suchlipid nanoparticles can readily penetrate such endothelial fenestrationsto reach the target hepatocytes. Alternatively, a lipid nanoparticle maybe sized such that the dimensions of the liposome are of a sufficientdiameter to limit or expressly avoid distribution into certain cells ortissues. For example, lipid nanoparticles that comprise thepharmaceutical and liposomal compositions described herein may be sizedsuch that their dimensions are larger than the fenestrations of theendothelial layer lining hepatic sinusoids to thereby limit distributionof the liposomal lipid nanoparticle to hepatocytes. In such anembodiment, large liposomal compositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles)will not easily penetrate the endothelial fenestrations, and wouldinstead be cleared by the macrophage Kupffer cells that line the liversinusoids. Sizing of, for example, the lipid nanoparticles comprisingthe pharmaceutical composition may therefore provide an opportunity tofurther manipulate and precisely control the degree to which expressionof the encapsulated polynucleotides may be enhanced in one or moretarget cells. Generally, the size of at least one of the lipidnanoparticles that comprise the pharmaceutical and liposomalcompositions of the present invention is within the range of about 25 to250 nm, preferably less than about 250 nm, 175 nm, 150 nm, 125 nm, 100nm, 75 nm, 50 nm, 25 nm or 10 nm.

Similarly, the compositions of the present invention may be prepared topreferentially distribute to other target tissues, cells or organs, suchas the heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen. For example, the lipidnanoparticles of the present invention may be prepared to achieveenhanced delivery to the target cells and tissues. Accordingly, thecompositions of the present invention may be enriched with additionalcationic, non-cationic and PEG-modified lipids to further target tissuesor cells.

In some embodiments, the compounds and the pharmaceutical and liposomalcompositions described herein (e.g., HGT4002-based lipid nanoparticles)distribute to the cells and tissues of the liver to enhance thedelivery, transfection and the subsequent expression of thepolynucleotides (e.g., mRNA) encapsulated therein by the cells andtissues of the liver (e.g., hepatocytes) and the correspondingproduction of the polypeptide or protein encoded by such polynucleotide.While such compositions may preferentially distribute into the cells andtissues of the liver, the therapeutic effects of the expressedpolynucleotides and the subsequent production of a protein encodedthereby need not be limited to the target cells and tissues. Forexample, the targeted hepatocytes may function as a “reservoir” or“depot” capable of expressing or producing, and systemically orperipherally excreting a functional protein or enzyme, as disclosed forexample, in International Application No. PCT/US2010/058457 and in U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/494,881, the teachings of which are bothincorporated by reference in their entirety. Accordingly, in certainembodiments of the present invention the one or more of the lipidnanoparticles that comprise the pharmaceutical and liposomalcompositions described herein (e.g., HGT4005-based lipid nanoparticles)may target hepatocytes and/or preferentially distribute to the cells andtissues of the liver upon delivery. Following the transfection of thetarget hepatocytes by the polynucleotide encapsulated in one or more ofsuch lipid nanoparticles, such polynucleotides are expressed (e.g.,translated) and a functional product (e.g., a polypeptide or protein) isexcreted and systemically distributed, where such functional product mayexert a desired therapeutic effect.

The polynucleotides encapsulated in one or more of the compounds orpharmaceutical and liposomal compositions described herein can bedelivered to and/or transfect targeted cells or tissues. In someembodiments, the encapsulated polynucleotides are capable of beingexpressed and functional polypeptide products produced (and in someinstances excreted) by the target cell, thereby conferring a beneficialproperty to, for example the target cells or tissues. Such encapsulatedpolynucleotides may encode, for example, a hormone, enzyme, receptor,polypeptide, peptide or other protein of interest. In certainembodiments, such encapsulated polynucleotides may also encode a smallinterfering RNA (siRNA) or antisense RNA for the purpose of modulatingor otherwise decreasing or eliminating the expression of an endogenousnucleic acid or gene. In certain embodiments such encapsulatedpolynucleotides may be natural or recombinant in nature and may exerttheir therapeutic activity using either sense or antisense mechanisms ofaction (e.g., by modulating the expression of a target gene or nucleicacid).

In some embodiments, the encapsulated polynucleotides (e.g., mRNAencoding a deficient protein) may optionally include chemical orbiological modifications which, for example, improves the stabilityand/or half-life of such polynucleotide or which improves or otherwisefacilitates translation of such polynucleotide.

Also contemplated by the present invention is the co-delivery of one ormore unique polynucleotides to target cells by the compounds orpharmaceutical and liposomal compositions described herein, for example,by combining two unique therapeutic agents or polynucleotides into asingle lipid nanoparticle. Also contemplated is the delivery of one ormore encapsulated polynucleotides to one or more target cells to treat asingle disorder or deficiency, wherein each such polynucleotidefunctions by a different mechanism of action. For example, thepharmaceutical or liposomal compositions of the present invention maycomprise a first polynucleotide which, for example, is encapsulated in alipid nanoparticle and intended to correct an endogenous protein orenzyme deficiency, and a second polynucleotide intended to deactivate or“knock-down” a malfunctioning endogenous polynucleotide and its proteinor enzyme product. Such encapsulated polynucleotides may encode, forexample mRNA and siRNA.

While in vitro transcribed polynucleotides (e.g., mRNA) may betransfected into target cells, such polynucleotides may be readily andefficiently degraded by the cell in vivo, thus rendering suchpolynucleotides ineffective. Moreover, some polynucleotides are unstablein bodily fluids (particularly human serum) and can be degraded ordigested even before reaching a target cell. In addition, within a cell,a natural mRNA can decay with a half-life of between 30 minutes andseveral days. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the encapsulatedpolynucleotides provided herein, and in particular the mRNApolynucleotides provided herein, preferably retain at least some abilityto be expressed or translated, to thereby produce a functional proteinor enzyme within one or more target cells.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositionscomprise one or more of the lipid compounds disclosed herein and one ormore lipid nanoparticles that include or encapsulate one or morestabilized polynucleotides (e.g., mRNA which has been stabilized againstin vivo nuclease digestion or degradation) that modulate the expressionof a gene or that may be expressed or translated to produce a functionalpolypeptide or protein within one or more target cells. In certainembodiments, the activity of such encapsulated polynucleotides (e.g.,mRNA encoding a functional protein or enzyme) is prolonged over anextended period of time. For example, the activity of thepolynucleotides may be prolonged such that the pharmaceuticalcompositions may be administered to a subject on a semi-weekly orbi-weekly basis, or more preferably on a monthly, bi-monthly, quarterlyor an annual basis. The extended or prolonged activity of thepharmaceutical compositions of the present invention, and in particularof the encapsulated mRNA, is directly related to the quantity offunctional protein or enzyme translated from such mRNA. Similarly, theactivity of the compositions of the present invention may be furtherextended or prolonged by chemical modifications made to further improveor enhance translation of the mRNA polynucleotides. For example, theKozac consensus sequence plays a role in the initiation of proteintranslation, and the inclusion of such a Kozac consensus sequence in theencapsulated mRNA polynucleotides may further extend or prolong theactivity of the mRNA polynucleotides. Furthermore, the quantity offunctional protein or enzyme produced by the target cell is a functionof the quantity of polynucleotide (e.g., mRNA) delivered to the targetcells and the stability of such polynucleotide. To the extent that thestability of the polynucleotides encapsulated by the compounds orcompositions of the present invention may be improved or enhanced, thehalf-life, the activity of the translated protein or enzyme and thedosing frequency of the composition may be further extended.

In certain embodiments the polynucleotides can be chemically modifiedfor example, to confer stability (e.g., stability relative to thewild-type or naturally-occurring version of the mRNA and/or the versionof the mRNA naturally endogenous to target cells). Accordingly, in someembodiments, the encapsulated polynucleotides provided herein compriseat least one chemical modification which confers increased or enhancedstability to the polynucleotide, including, for example, improvedresistance to nuclease digestion in vivo. As used herein, the phrases“chemical modifications” and “chemically modified” as such terms relateto the polynucleotides provided herein, include at least one alterationwhich preferably enhances stability and renders the polynucleotide morestable (e.g., resistant to nuclease digestion) than the wild-type ornaturally occurring version of that polynucleotide. The terms “stable”and “stability” as such terms relate to the polynucleotides encapsulatedby the compounds or pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions of thepresent invention, and particularly with respect to the mRNA, refer toincreased or enhanced resistance to degradation by, for examplenucleases (i.e., endonucleases or exonucleases) which are normallycapable of degrading such RNA. Increased stability can include, forexample, less sensitivity to hydrolysis or other destruction byendogenous enzymes (e.g., endonucleases or exonucleases) or conditionswithin the target cell or tissue, thereby increasing or enhancing theresidence of such polynucleotides in the target cell, tissue, subjectand/or cytoplasm. The stabilized polynucleotide molecules providedherein demonstrate longer half-lives relative to their naturallyoccurring, unmodified counterparts (e.g. the wild-type version of thepolynucleotide).

Also contemplated by the phrases “chemical modification” and “chemicallymodified” as such terms related to the polynucleotides encapsulated bythe compounds or pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions of thepresent invention are alterations which improve or enhance translationof mRNA polynucleotides, including for example, the inclusion ofsequences which function in the initiation of protein translation (e.g.,the Kozac consensus sequence). (Kozak, M., Nucleic Acids Res 15 (20):8125-48 (1987)). The phrase “chemical modifications” as used herein,also include modifications which introduce chemistries which differ fromthose seen in naturally occurring polynucleotides, for example, covalentmodifications such as the introduction of modified nucleotides, (e.g.,nucleotide analogs, or the inclusion of pendant groups which are notnaturally found in such polynucleotide molecules). In some embodiments,the polynucleotides have undergone a chemical or biological modificationto render them more stable prior to encapsulation in one or more lipidnanoparticles. Exemplary chemical modifications to a polynucleotideinclude the depletion of a base (e.g., by deletion or by thesubstitution of one nucleotide for another) or chemical modification ofa base.

In addition, suitable modifications include alterations in one or morenucleotides of a codon such that the codon encodes the same amino acidbut is more stable than the codon found in the wild-type version of thepolynucleotide. For example, an inverse relationship between thestability of RNA and a higher number cytidines (C's) and/or uridines(U's) residues has been demonstrated, and RNA devoid of C and U residueshave been found to be stable to most RNases (Heidenreich, et al. J BiolChem 269, 2131-8 (1994)). In some embodiments, the number of C and/or Uresidues in an mRNA sequence is reduced. In a another embodiment, thenumber of C and/or U residues is reduced by substitution of one codonencoding a particular amino acid for another codon encoding the same ora related amino acid. Contemplated modifications to the mRNApolynucleotides encapsulated by the compounds or pharmaceutical andliposomal compositions of the present invention also include theincorporation of pseudouridines. The incorporation of pseudouridinesinto the mRNA polynucleotides encapsulated by the compounds orpharmaceutical and liposomal compositions of the present invention mayenhance stability and translational capacity, as well as diminishingimmunogenicity in vivo. (See, e.g., Karikó, K., et al., MolecularTherapy 16 (11): 1833-1840 (2008)). Substitutions and modifications tothe polynucleotides encapsulated by the compounds or pharmaceutical andliposomal compositions of the present invention may be performed bymethods readily known to one or ordinary skill in the art.

The constraints on reducing the number of C and U residues in a sequencewill likely be greater within the coding region of an mRNA, compared toan untranslated region, (i.e., it will likely not be possible toeliminate all of the C and U residues present in the message while stillretaining the ability of the message to encode the desired amino acidsequence). The degeneracy of the genetic code, however presents anopportunity to allow the number of C and/or U residues that are presentin the sequence to be reduced, while maintaining the same codingcapacity (i.e., depending on which amino acid is encoded by a codon,several different possibilities for modification of RNA sequences may bepossible). For example, the codons for Gly can be altered to GGA or GGGinstead of GGU or GGC.

The term chemical modification also includes, for example, theincorporation of non-nucleotide linkages or modified nucleotides intothe polynucleotide sequences of the present invention (e.g.,end-blocking modifications to one or both the 3′ and 5′ ends of an mRNAmolecule encoding a functional protein or enzyme). Such modificationsmay include the addition of bases to a polynucleotide sequence (e.g.,the inclusion of a poly A tail or a longer poly A tail), the alterationof the 3′ UTR or the 5′ UTR, complexing the polynucleotide with an agent(e.g., a protein or a complementary polynucleotide molecule), andinclusion of elements which change the structure of a polynucleotidemolecule (e.g., which form secondary structures).

The poly A tail is thought to stabilize natural messengers and syntheticsense RNA. Therefore, in certain embodiments a long poly A tail can beadded to an mRNA molecule thus rendering the RNA more stable. Poly Atails can be added using a variety of art-recognized techniques. Forexample, long poly A tails can be added to synthetic or in vitrotranscribed RNA using poly A polymerase (Yokoe, et al. NatureBiotechnology. 1996; 14: 1252-1256). A transcription vector can alsoencode long poly A tails. In addition, poly A tails can be added bytranscription directly from PCR products. Poly A may also be ligated tothe 3′ end of a sense RNA with RNA ligase (see, e.g., Molecular CloningA Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., ed. by Sambrook, Fritsch and Maniatis(Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: 1991 edition)). In certainembodiments, the length of the poly A tail is at least about 90, 200,300, 400 at least 500 nucleotides. In certain embodiments, the length ofthe poly A tail is adjusted to control the stability of a modified sensemRNA molecule of the invention and, thus, the transcription of protein.For example, since the length of the poly A tail can influence thehalf-life of a sense mRNA molecule, the length of the poly A tail can beadjusted to modify the level of resistance of the mRNA to nucleases andthereby control the time course of polynucleotide expression and proteinproduction in a target cell. In certain embodiments, the stabilizedpolynucleotide molecules are sufficiently resistant to in vivodegradation (e.g., by nucleases), such that they may be delivered to thetarget cell without a lipid nanoparticle.

In certain embodiments, the chemical modifications are end-blockingmodification of the one or more polynucleotides which comprise thepharmaceutical compositions of the invention. For example, suchpolynucleotides can be modified by the incorporation 3′ and/or 5′untranslated (UTR) sequences which are not naturally found in thewild-type polynucleotide. In certain embodiments, 3′ and/or 5′ flankingsequence which naturally flanks an mRNA and encodes a second, unrelatedprotein can be incorporated into the nucleotide sequence of an mRNAmolecule encoding a or functional protein in order to modify it. Forexample, 3′ or 5′ sequences from mRNA molecules which are stable (e.g.,globin, actin, GAPDH, tubulin, histone, or citric acid cycle enzymes)can be incorporated into the 3′ and/or 5′ region of a sense mRNApolynucleotide molecule to increase the stability of the sense mRNAmolecule.

Also contemplated by the present invention are modifications to thepolynucleotide sequences made to one or both of the 3′ and 5′ ends ofthe polynucleotide. For example, the present invention contemplatesmodifications to the 3′ and/or 5′ end of the polynucleotides (e.g.,mRNA) to include a partial sequence of a CMV immediate-early 1 (IE1)gene, or a fragment thereof to improve the nuclease resistance and/orimprove the half-life of the polynucleotide (such as, e.g., SEQ IDNO:1). In addition to increasing the stability of the mRNApolynucleotide sequence, it has been surprisingly discovered theinclusion of a partial sequence of a CMV immediate-early 1 (IE1) gene(e.g., to one or more of the 5′ untranslated region and 3′ untranslatedregion of the mRNA) further enhances the translation of the mRNA. Alsocontemplated is the inclusion of a sequence from the human growthhormone (hGH) gene, or a fragment thereof to one or both of the 3′ and5′ ends of the polynucleotide (e.g., mRNA) to further stabilize thepolynucleotide (such as, e.g., SEQ ID NO:2). Generally, the contemplatedchemical modifications improve the stability and/or pharmacokineticproperties (e.g., half-life) of the polynucleotide relative to theirunmodified counterparts, and include, for example modifications made toimprove such polynucleotides' resistance to in vivo nuclease digestion.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition, the two or morelipid nanoparticles comprised therein or the polynucleotidesencapsulated by such lipid nanoparticles can comprise a stabilizingreagent. The compositions can include one or more formulation reagentsthat bind directly or indirectly to, and stabilize the polynucleotide,thereby enhancing residence time in the cytoplasm of a target cell. Suchreagents preferably lead to an improved half-life of a polynucleotide inthe target cells. For example, the stability of an mRNA and efficiencyof translation may be increased by the incorporation of “stabilizingreagents” that form complexes with the polynucleotides (e.g., mRNA) thatnaturally occur within a cell (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,124).Incorporation of a stabilizing reagent can be accomplished for example,by combining the poly A and a protein with the mRNA to be stabilized invitro before loading or encapsulating the mRNA within the one or morelipid nanoparticles that comprise the pharmaceutical composition.Exemplary stabilizing reagents include one or more proteins, peptides,aptamers, translational accessory protein, mRNA binding proteins, and/ortranslation initiation factors.

Stabilization of the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions describedherein (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) may also be improved by the use ofopsonization-inhibiting moieties, which are typically large hydrophilicpolymers that are chemically or physically bound or otherwiseincorporated into the lipid nanoparticle (e.g., by the intercalation ofa lipid-soluble anchor into the membrane itself, or by binding directlyto active groups of membrane lipids). These opsonization-inhibitinghydrophilic polymers form a protective surface layer which significantlydecreases the uptake of the liposomes by the macrophage-monocyte systemand reticulo-endothelial system (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No.4,920,016, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated byreference). For example, delays in the uptake of lipid nanoparticles bythe reticuloendothelial system may be facilitated by the addition of ahydrophilic polymer surface coating onto or into lipid nanoparticles tomask the recognition and uptake of the liposomal-based lipidnanoparticle by the reticuloendothelial system. For example, in certainembodiments, one or more of the lipid nanoparticles that comprise thepharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein comprise apolyethyleneglycol (PEG) polymer or a PEG-modified lipid to furtherenhance delivery of such lipid nanoparticles to the target cell andtissues.

When RNA is hybridized to a complementary polynucleotide molecule (e.g.,DNA or RNA) it may be protected from nucleases. (Krieg, et al. Melton.Methods in Enzymology. 1987; 155, 397-415). The stability of hybridizedmRNA is likely due to the inherent single strand specificity of mostRNases. In some embodiments, the stabilizing reagent selected to complexa polynucleotide is a eukaryotic protein, (e.g., a mammalian protein).In yet another embodiment, the polynucleotide (e.g., mRNA) for use insense therapy can be modified by hybridization to a secondpolynucleotide molecule. If an entire mRNA molecule were hybridized to acomplementary polynucleotide molecule translation initiation may bereduced. In some embodiments the 5′ untranslated region and the AUGstart region of the mRNA molecule may optionally be left unhybridized.Following translation initiation, the unwinding activity of the ribosomecomplex can function even on high affinity duplexes so that translationcan proceed. (Liebhaber. J. Mol. Biol. 1992; 226: 2-13; Monia, et al. JBiol Chem. 1993; 268: 14514-22.) It will be understood that any of theabove described methods for enhancing the stability of polynucleotidesmay be used either alone or in combination with one or more of any ofthe other above-described methods and/or compositions.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention enhance the delivery of lipid nanoparticle-encapsulatedpolynucleotides to one or more target cells, tissues or organs. In someembodiments, enhanced delivery to one or more target cells comprisesincreasing the amount of polynucleotide that comes in contact or isotherwise delivered to the target cells. In some embodiments, enhancingdelivery to target cells comprises reducing the amount of polynucleotidethat comes into contact with non-target cells. In some embodiments,enhancing delivery to target cells comprises allowing the transfectionof at least some target cells with the encapsulated polynucleotide. Insome embodiments, the level of expression of the polynucleotideencapsulated by the lipid nanoparticles which comprise the subjectpharmaceutical compositions and the corresponding production of thefunctional protein or enzyme encoded thereby is increased in the targetcells.

The polynucleotides encapsulated by the compounds or pharmaceutical andliposomal compositions of the present invention may be optionallycombined with a reporter gene (e.g., upstream or downstream of thecoding region of the polynucleotide) which, for example, facilitates thedetermination of polynucleotide delivery to the target cells or tissues.Suitable reporter genes may include, for example, Green FluorescentProtein mRNA (GFP mRNA), Renilla Luciferase mRNA (Luciferase mRNA),Firefly Luciferase mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 1), or any combinations thereof. Forexample, GFP mRNA may be fused with a polynucleotide encoding OTC mRNAto facilitate confirmation of mRNA localization in the target cells,tissues or organs.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention comprise one or more additional molecules (e.g., proteins,peptides, aptamers or oliogonucleotides) which facilitate the transferof the polynucleotides (e.g., mRNA, miRNA, snRNA and snoRNA) from thelipid nanoparticle into an intracellular compartment of the target cell.In some embodiments, the additional molecule facilitates the delivery ofthe polynucleotides into, for example, the cytosol, the lysosome, themitochondrion, the nucleus, the nucleolae or the proteasome of a targetcell. Also included are agents that facilitate the transport of thetranslated protein of interest from the cytoplasm to its normalintercellular location (e.g., in the mitochondrion) to treatdeficiencies in that organelle. In some embodiments, the agent isselected from the group consisting of a protein, a peptide, an aptamer,and an oligonucleotide.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the present inventionfacilitate a subject's endogenous production of one or more functionalproteins and/or enzymes, and in particular the production of proteinsand/or enzymes which demonstrate less immunogenicity relative to theirrecombinantly-prepared counterparts. In a certain embodiments of thepresent invention, the lipid nanoparticles comprise polynucleotideswhich encode mRNA of a deficient protein or enzyme. Upon distribution ofsuch compositions to the target tissues and the subsequent transfectionof such target cells, the exogenous mRNA loaded or encapsulated into thelipid nanoparticles that comprise the compositions may be translated invivo to produce a functional protein or enzyme encoded by suchencapsulated mRNA (e.g., a protein or enzyme in which the subject isdeficient). Accordingly, in certain embodiments the compositions of thepresent invention exploit a subject's ability to translate exogenously-or recombinantly-prepared mRNA to produce an endogenously-translatedprotein or enzyme, and thereby produce (and where applicable excrete) afunctional protein or enzyme. The translated proteins or enzymes mayalso be characterized by the in vivo inclusion of nativepost-translational modifications which may often be absent inrecombinantly-prepared proteins or enzymes, thereby further reducing theimmunogenicity of the translated protein or enzyme.

The encapsulation of mRNA in the lipid nanoparticles and theadministration of the pharmaceutical compositions comprising such lipidnanoparticles avoids the need to deliver the mRNA to specific organelleswithin a target cell (e.g., mitochondria). Rather, upon transfection ofa target cell and delivery of the encapsulated mRNA to the cytoplasm ofthe target cell, the mRNA contents of the lipid nanoparticles may betranslated and a functional protein or enzyme produced.

The present invention also contemplates the discriminatory targeting ofone or more target cells and tissues by both passive and activetargeting means. The phenomenon of passive targeting exploits thenatural distributions patterns of lipid nanoparticles in vivo withoutrelying upon the use of additional excipients or means to enhancerecognition of the lipid nanoparticle by one or more target cells. Forexample, lipid nanoparticles which are subject to phagocytosis by thecells of the reticulo-endothelial system are likely to accumulate in theliver or spleen, and accordingly may provide means to passively directthe delivery of the compositions to such target cells.

Alternatively, the present invention contemplates active targeting,which involves the use of additional excipients, referred to herein as“targeting ligands” that may be bound (either covalently ornon-covalently) to the lipid nanoparticle to encourage localization ofsuch lipid nanoparticle at certain target cells or target tissues. Forexample, targeting may be mediated by the inclusion of one or moreendogenous targeting ligands (e.g., apolipoprotein E) in or on the lipidnanoparticle to encourage distribution to the target cells or tissues.Recognition of the targeting ligand by the target tissues activelyfacilitates tissue distribution to, and cellular uptake of the lipidnanoparticles and/or their contents by the target cells and tissues. Forexample, in certain embodiments, one or more of the lipid nanoparticlesthat comprise the pharmaceutical formulation may comprise anapolipoprotein-E targeting ligand in or on such lipid nanoparticles tofacilitate or encourage recognition and binding of such lipidnanoparticle to endogenous low density lipoprotein receptors expressed,for example by hepatocytes. As provided herein, the composition cancomprise a ligand capable of enhancing affinity of the compositions toone or more target cells. Targeting ligands may be linked to the outerbilayer of the lipid nanoparticle during formulation orpost-formulation. These methods are well known in the art. In addition,some lipid nanoparticles may comprise fusogenic polymers such as PEAA,hemagluttinin, other lipopeptides (see U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.08/835,281, and 60/083,294, which are incorporated herein by reference)and other features useful for in vivo and/or intracellular delivery. Inother embodiments, the compositions of the present invention demonstrateimproved transfection efficacies, and/or demonstrate enhancedselectivity towards target cells or tissues of interest. Contemplatedtherefore are compositions or lipid nanoparticles that comprise one ormore ligands (e.g., peptides, aptamers, oligonucleotides, a vitamin orother molecules) that are capable of enhancing the affinity of thecompositions or their constituent lipid nanoparticles and theirpolynucleotide contents to one or more target cells or tissues. Suitableligands may optionally be bound or linked to the surface of the lipidnanoparticle. In some embodiments, the targeting ligand may span thesurface of a lipid nanoparticle or be encapsulated within the lipidnanoparticle. Suitable ligands are selected based upon their physical,chemical or biological properties (e.g., selective affinity and/orrecognition of target cell surface markers or features.) Cell-specifictarget sites and their corresponding targeting ligand can vary widely.Suitable targeting ligands are selected such that the uniquecharacteristics of a target cell are exploited, thus allowing thecomposition to discriminate between target and non-target cells. Forexample, compositions of the present invention may bear surface markers(e.g., apolipoprotein-B or apolipoprotein-E) that selectively enhancerecognition of, or affinity to hepatocytes (e.g., by receptor-mediatedrecognition of and binding to such surface markers). Additionally, theuse of galactose as a targeting ligand would be expected to direct thecompositions of the present invention to parenchymal hepatocytes, oralternatively the use of mannose containing sugar residues as atargeting ligand would be expected to direct the compositions of thepresent invention to liver endothelial cells (e.g., mannose containingsugar residues that may bind preferentially to the asialoglycoproteinreceptor present in hepatocytes). (See Hillery A M, et al. “DrugDelivery and Targeting: For Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists”(2002) Taylor & Francis, Inc.) The presentation of such targetingligands that have been conjugated to moieties present in the lipidnanoparticle therefore facilitate recognition and uptake of theliposomal compositions of the present invention by one or more targetcells and tissues. Examples of suitable targeting ligands include one ormore peptides, proteins, aptamers, vitamins and oligonucleotides.

As used herein, the term “subject” refers to any animal (e.g., amammal), including, but not limited to, humans, non-human primates,rodents, and the like, to which the compounds, pharmaceutical orliposomal compositions and methods of the present invention may beadministered. Typically, the terms “subject” and “patient” are usedinterchangeably herein in reference to a human subject.

The ability of the compounds and pharmaceutical or liposomalcompositions described herein (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) to modulate orenhance the expression of encapsulated polynucleotides and theproduction of a polypeptide or protein provides novel and more efficientmeans of effectuating the in vivo production of polypeptides andproteins for the treatment of a host of diseases or pathologicalconditions. Such lipid nanoparticle compositions are particularlysuitable for the treatment of diseases or pathological conditionsassociated with the aberrant expression of nucleic acids encoding aprotein or enzyme. For example, the successful delivery ofpolynucleotides such as mRNA to target organs such as the liver and inparticular, to hepatocytes, can be used for the treatment and thecorrection of in-born errors of metabolism that are localized to theliver. Accordingly, the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions andrelated methods described herein may be employed to treat a wide rangeof diseases and pathological conditions, in particular those diseaseswhich are due to protein or enzyme deficiencies. The polynucleotidesencapsulated by the compounds or pharmaceutical and liposomalcompositions described herein (e.g., HGT4004-based lipid nanoparticles)may encode a functional product (e.g., a protein, enzyme, polypeptide,peptide, functional RNA, and/or antisense molecule), and preferablyencodes a product whose in vivo production is desired.

The compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and related methods of thepresent invention are broadly applicable to the delivery of therapeuticagents such as polynucleotides, and in particular mRNA, to treat anumber of disorders. In particular, such compounds, compositions andrelated methods of the present invention are suitable for the treatmentof diseases or disorders relating to the deficiency of proteins and/orenzymes. In certain embodiments, the lipid nanoparticle-encapsulatedpolynucleotides encode functional proteins or enzymes that are excretedor secreted by one or more target cells into the surroundingextracellular fluid (e.g., mRNA encoding hormones andneurotransmitters). Alternatively, in another embodiment, thepolynucleotides encapsulated by the compounds or pharmaceutical andliposomal compositions of the present invention encode functionalproteins or enzymes that remain in the cytosol of one or more targetcells (e.g., mRNA encoding an enzyme associated with urea cycle orlysosomal storage metabolic disorders). Other disorders for which thecompounds, pharmaceutical compositions and related methods of thepresent invention are useful include, but are not limited to, disorderssuch as SMN1-related spinal muscular atrophy (SMA); amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS); GALT-related galactosemia; Cystic Fibrosis (CF);SLC3A1-related disorders including cystinuria; COL4A5-related disordersincluding Alport syndrome; galactocerebrosidase deficiencies; X-linkedadrenoleukodystrophy and adrenomyeloneuropathy; Huntington's Disease;Parkinson's Disease; muscular dystrophies (such as, e.g., Duchenne andBecker); hemophelia diseases, such as, e.g., hemophilia B (FIX) andHemophilia A (FVIII); Friedreich's ataxia; Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease;TSC1 and TSC2-related tuberous sclerosis; Sanfilippo B syndrome (MPSIIIB); CTNS-related cystinosis; the FMR1-related disorders which includeFragile X syndrome, Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome andFragile X Premature Ovarian Failure Syndrome; Prader-Willi syndrome;Fabry disease; hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (AT); Niemann-Pickdisease Type C1; the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses-related diseasesincluding Juvenile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (JNCL), JuvenileBatten disease, Santavuori-Haltia disease, Jansky-Bielschowsky disease,and PTT-1 and TPP1 deficiencies; EIF2B1, EIF2B2, EIF2B3, EIF2B4 andEIF2B5-related childhood ataxia with central nervous systemhypomyelination/vanishing white matter; CACNA1A and CACNB4-relatedEpisodic Ataxia Type 2; the MECP2-related disorders including ClassicRett Syndrome, MECP2-related Severe Neonatal Encephalopathy and PPM-XSyndrome; CDKLS-related Atypical Rett Syndrome; Kennedy's disease(SBMA); Notch-3 related cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy withsubcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL); SCN1A andSCN1B-related seizure disorders; the Polymerase G-related disorderswhich include Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome, POLG-related sensory ataxicneuropathy, dysarthria, and ophthalmoparesis, and autosomal dominant andrecessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNAdeletions; X-Linked adrenal hypoplasia; X-linked agammaglobulinemia;Wilson's disease; and Fabry Disease. In certain embodiments, thepolynucleotides, and in particular mRNA, of the present invention mayencode functional proteins or enzymes. For example, the compositions ofthe present invention may include mRNA encoding agalsidase alfa,erythropoietin, α1-antitrypsin, carboxypeptidase N, alpha-L-iduronidase,iduronate-2-sulfatase, N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase,N-acetylglucosaminidase, alpha-glucosaminide acetyltransferase,N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfatase, N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase,beta-glucosidase, galactose-6-sulfate sulfatase, beta-galactosidase,beta-glucuronidase, glucocerebrosidase, heparan sulfamidase,hyaluronidase, galactocerebrosidase or human growth hormone.

The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions described herein may beadministered to a subject. In some embodiments, the compositions areformulated in combination with one or more additional polynucleotides,carriers, targeting ligands or stabilizing reagents or other suitableexcipients. Techniques for formulation and administration of drugs maybe found in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Publishing Co.,Easton, Pa., latest edition.

The compounds and the pharmaceutical and liposomal compositions (e.g.,lipid nanoparticles) of the present invention may be administered anddosed in accordance with current medical practice, taking into accountthe clinical condition of the subject, the nature of the encapsulatedmaterials, the site and method of administration, the scheduling ofadministration, the subject's age, sex, body weight and other factorsrelevant to clinicians of ordinary skill in the art. The “effectiveamount” for the purposes herein may be determined by such relevantconsiderations as are known to those of ordinary skill in experimentalclinical research, pharmacological, clinical and medical arts. In someembodiments, the amount administered is effective to achieve at leastsome stabilization, improvement or elimination of symptoms and otherindicators as are selected as appropriate measures of disease progress,regression or improvement by those of skill in the art. For example, asuitable amount and dosing regimen is one that causes at least transientexpression of the one or more polynucleotides in the target cells.

Suitable routes of administration of the compounds and pharmaceuticalcompositions disclosed herein include, for example, oral, rectal,vaginal, transmucosal, or intestinal administration; parenteraldelivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intramedullaryinjections, as well as intrathecal, intracerebroventricular, directintraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, orintraocular injections or infusions. In certain embodiments, theadministration of the compounds or compositions (e.g., lipidnanoparticle) described herein to a subject facilitates the contactingof such compounds or compositions to one or more target cells, tissuesor organs.

Alternately, the compounds and compositions of the present invention maybe administered in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, viainjection or infusion of the pharmaceutical compositions directly into atargeted tissue, preferably in a depot or sustained release formulation,such that the contacting of the targeted cells with the constituentlipid nanoparticles may further facilitated. Local delivery can beaffected in various ways, depending on the tissue to be targeted. Forexample, aerosols containing compositions of the present invention canbe inhaled (for nasal, tracheal, or bronchial delivery); compositions ofthe present invention can be injected into the site of injury, diseasemanifestation, or pain, for example; compositions can be provided inlozenges for oral, tracheal, or esophageal application; can be suppliedin liquid, tablet or capsule form for administration to the stomach orintestines, can be supplied in suppository form for rectal or vaginalapplication; or can even be delivered to the eye by use of creams,drops, or even injection. Formulations containing the compounds of thepresent invention complexed with therapeutic molecules or ligands caneven be surgically administered, for example in association with apolymer or other structure or substance that can allow the compositionsto diffuse from the site of implantation to surrounding cells.Alternatively, such compositions can be applied surgically without theuse of polymers or supports.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the present invention areformulated such that they are suitable for extended-release of the, forexample, polynucleotides or nucleic acids encapsulated therein. Suchextended-release compositions may be conveniently administered to asubject at extended dosing intervals. For example, in certainembodiments, the compositions of the present invention are administeredto a subject twice day, daily or every other day. In a certainembodiments, the compositions of the present invention are administeredto a subject twice a week, once a week, every ten days, every two weeks,every three weeks, or more preferably every four weeks, once a month,every six weeks, every eight weeks, every other month, every threemonths, every four months, every six months, every eight months, everynine months or annually. Also contemplated are compositions and lipidnanoparticles which are formulated for depot administration (e.g.,intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intravitreally) to either deliver orrelease a polynucleotide (e.g., mRNA) over extended periods of time.Preferably, the extended-release means employed are combined withmodifications (e.g., chemical modifications) introduced into thepolynucleotides to enhance stability.

While certain compounds, compositions and methods of the presentinvention have been described with specificity in accordance withcertain embodiments, the following examples serve only to illustrate thecompounds of the invention and are not intended to limit the same. Eachof the publications, reference materials and the like referenced hereinto describe the background of the invention and to provide additionaldetail regarding its practice are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

Lyophilized Lipid Delivery Vehicles

The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions that compriselyophilized liposomal delivery vehicles and liposomal formulations thatare capable of effectuating the delivery of encapsulated contents (e.g.,polynucleotides) to one or more target cells, tissues or organs. Upondelivery of, for example, encapsulated polynucleotides to the one ormore target cells, such polynucleotides are capable of modulating theexpression (e.g., increasing the expression) of the polynucleotide or ofa nucleic acid in the target cell. Also disclosed herein are relatedmethods and processes for preparing such pharmaceutical compositions, aswell as methods of treating one or more diseases or conditions byadministering such pharmaceutical compositions to a subject in needthereof. The lyophilized compositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles)described herein are also expected to have improved long-term stabilityupon storage under either refrigeration or at ambient temperature (e.g.,room temperature) (e.g., at least one, two, three, six, nine, twelve,eighteen, twenty-four, thirty months, or longer).

As used herein to refer to the liposomal compositions (e.g., lipidnanoparticles), the terms “lyophilization” and “lyophilized” refer to aprocess whereby such liposomal compositions are prepared in dry from byrapid freezing and in certain instances one or more drying steps (e.g.,upon exposure to vacuum conditions), thereby reducing the concentrationof water in such liposomal compositions to preclude or alternativelylimit further biological or chemical reactions.

Lyophilization of liposomal compositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles) maybe performed by any appropriate method, for example, as in accordancewith the lyophilization cycles provided in the examples. Following therapid freezing of the liposomal compositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles)the liposomal compositions may be dried by one or more suitable methods,such as exposure to primary and secondary vacuum drying conditions. Insome embodiments, the liposomal compositions (e.g., lipid nanoparticles)are dried in at the temperatures and vacuum conditions provided in theexamples. Following exposure to the lyophilization conditions describedherein, the lyophilized lipid nanoparticle compositions may berehydrated using, for example, a suitable aqueous rehydration media(e.g., sterile water, normal saline and/or 5% dextrose) and administeredto a subject.

In certain embodiments, the lyophilized pharmaceutical compositionsdescribed herein are characterized as being stable (e.g., relative tounlyophilized pharmaceutical compositions). As used to describe thelyophilized liposomal compositions described herein, the term “stable”refers to a preclusion of such liposomal compositions (e.g., lipidnanoparticles) from aggregating or flocculating (e.g., followingreconstitution). The stability of such lyophilized pharmaceuticalcompositions may be determined with reference to a number of physicalcharacteristics. For example, stability may be determined with referenceto the particle size of the lipid nanoparticles comprising suchcomposition. Preferably, following rehydration of the lyophilizedcompositions disclosed herein, the size distribution and physicalcharacteristics of the reconstituted composition are identical oralternatively comparable to the compositions prior to lyophilization.Accordingly, in certain embodiments, lyophilization of the lipidnanoparticles does not appreciably change or alter the particle size ofthe lipid nanoparticles following lyophilization and/or reconstitution.For example, upon reconstitution (e.g., with purified water) the lipidnanoparticles comprising a lyophilized pharmaceutical composition do notflocculate or aggregate, or alternatively demonstrated limited ornegligible flocculation or aggregation (e.g., a determined by theparticle size of the reconstituted lipid nanoparticles).

In certain embodiments the reconstituted liposomal compositions (e.g.,lipid nanoparticles) of the invention exhibit an enhanced (e.g.,increased) ability to transfect one or more target cells. Accordingly,also provided herein are methods of transfecting one or more targetcells. Such methods generally comprise the step of contacting the one ormore target cells with, for example, the reconstituted lyophilizedpharmaceutical compositions of the invention (e.g., a lyophilizedHGT4003-based lipid nanoparticle encapsulating one or morepolynucleotides) such that the one or more target cells are transfectedwith the materials encapsulated therein (e.g., one or morepolynucleotides).

In certain embodiments, one or more lipids (e.g., cationic lipids) maybe used as a liposome or alternatively as a component of a lipiddelivery vehicles (e.g., lipid nanoparticle) used in the compositions ofthe invention. As described above, a suitable lipid delivery vehicle isa lipid nanoparticle comprising a nucleic acid, a cationic lipid, suchas, e.g., the cleavable cationic lipids such as, e.g., HGT4001, HGT4002,HGT4003, HGT4004, and HGT4005 described above, or selected from thegroup consisting of C12-200, ICE, DOTMA, DOGS, DOSPA, DODAP, DOTAP,DSDMA, DODMA DLinDMA DLenDMA DDAB DMRIE CLinDMA CpLinDMA DMOBA DOcarbDAPDLinDAP DLincarbDAP DLinCDAP DLin-K-DMA DLin-K-XTC2-DMA, DLinKC2-DMA,HGT5000, HGT5001, HGT5002, or mixtures thereof.

Other suitable components of lipid delivery vehicles includenon-cationic lipind, helper lipids, such as, e.g., cholesterol, andPEG-modified lipids as described above. For example, a lipidnanoparticle may be prepared using HGT4003, DOPE, CHOL and DMG-PEG2000.A lipid nanoparticle may be comprised of additional lipid combinationsin various ratios, including for example, HGT4001, DOPE and DMG-PEG2000.The selection of cationic lipids, non-cationic lipids and/orPEG-modified lipids which comprise the lipid nanoparticles, as well asthe relative molar ratio of such lipids to each other, is based upon thecharacteristics of the selected lipid(s), the nature of the intendedtarget cells or tissues and the characteristics of the materials orpolynucleotides to be delivered by the lipid nanoparticle. Additionalconsiderations include, for example, the saturation of the alkyl chain,as well as the size, charge, pH, pKa, fusogenicity and toxicity of theselected lipid(s).

In one embodiment, the lyophilized lipid delivery vehicles furthercomprise at at least one lyoprotectant. The term “lyoprotectant” is usedherein to refer to one or more compounds that, when combined with orincluded in the preparation of one or more of the liposomal compoundsdescribed herein, enhances (e.g., increases) the chemical and/orphysical stability of the liposomal compound (e.g., a lipidnanoparticle) during the lyophilization, storage or reconstitution ofsuch liposomal compound. For example, in certain embodiments theinclusion of one or more lyoprotectants in the lipid nanoparticle mayimprove or otherwise enhance the stability of the lyophilizedcomposition (e.g., under normal storage conditions) and/or facilitatereconstitution of the lyophilized composition using a rehydration media,thereby preparing an aqueous formulation. In some embodiments the lipidnanoparticles are prepared and prior to lyophilization the bufferpresent in the liposomal formulation may be replaced (e.g., viacentrifugation) with a suitable lyoprotectant (e.g., an aqueous sucrosesolution comprising between about 1-50% or 10-25% sucrose). In someembodiments, the lyoprotectant is included as part of the buffer ormedia in which the liposomal formulations are prepared or lyophilized(e.g., during hydration, diafiltration, and/or dilution). Examples ofsuitable lyoprotectants that may be used to prepare the lyophilizedcompositions described herein include, for example, trehalose, dextran(e.g., 1.5 kDa, 5 kDa and/or 40 kDa), inulin (e.g., 1.8 kDa and/or 4kDa), and any combinations thereof.

It is believed that the inclusion of a sugar lyoprotectant duringlyophilization may serve to stabilize the lyophilized composition. (See,Anchordoquy, et al., J. Pharm. Sci. (2000) 89: 289-296.) One possibleexplanation for the observed stabilization may include the particleisolation hypothesis, which refers to the formation of a sugar matrixwhich acts as a physical barrier between the liposomal particles.

The lyophilized pharmaceutical and the component liposomes (e.g., lipidnanoparticles) for use in the present invention can be prepared byvarious techniques which are presently known in the art. Multi-lamellarvesicles (MLV) may be prepared by conventional techniques, for example,by depositing a selected lipid on the inside wall of a suitablecontainer or vessel by dissolving the lipid in an appropriate solvent,and then evaporating the solvent to leave a thin film on the inside ofthe vessel or by spray drying. An aqueous phase may then added to thevessel with a vortexing motion which results in the formation of MLVs.Uni-lamellar vesicles (ULV) can then be formed by homogenization,sonication or extrusion of the multi-lamellar vesicles. In addition,unilamellar vesicles can be formed by detergent removal techniques.

The articles “a” and “an” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understoodto include the plural referents. Claims or descriptions that include“or” between one or more members of a group are considered satisfied ifone, more than one, or all of the group members are present in, employedin, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process unless indicatedto the contrary or otherwise evident from the context. The inventionincludes embodiments in which exactly one member of the group is presentin, employed in, or otherwise relevant to a given product or process.The invention also includes embodiments in which more than one, or theentire group members are present in, employed in, or otherwise relevantto a given product or process. Furthermore, it is to be understood thatthe invention encompasses all variations, combinations, and permutationsin which one or more limitations, elements, clauses, descriptive terms,etc., from one or more of the listed claims is introduced into anotherclaim dependent on the same base claim (or, as relevant, any otherclaim) unless otherwise indicated or unless it would be evident to oneof ordinary skill in the art that a contradiction or inconsistency wouldarise. Where elements are presented as lists, (e.g., in Markush group orsimilar format) it is to be understood that each subgroup of theelements is also disclosed, and any element(s) can be removed from thegroup. It should be understood that, in general, where the invention, oraspects of the invention, is/are referred to as comprising particularelements, features, etc., certain embodiments of the invention oraspects of the invention consist, or consist essentially of, suchelements, features, etc. For purposes of simplicity those embodimentshave not in every case been specifically set forth in so many wordsherein. It should also be understood that any embodiment or aspect ofthe invention can be explicitly excluded from the claims, regardless ofwhether the specific exclusion is recited in the specification. Thepublications and other reference materials referenced herein to describethe background of the invention and to provide additional detailregarding its practice are hereby incorporated by reference.

EXAMPLES Example 1—Preparation of HGT4001

The compound5-(((10,13-dimethyl-17-(6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl)disulfanyl)methyl)-1H-imidazole(Imidazole-Cholesterol Disulfide) (referred to herein as “HGT4001”) wasprepared in accordance with the general synthetic scheme shown below isshown in Reaction 1.

The intermediate compound2-(((3S,10R,13R,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-((R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl)disulfanyl)pyridine(pyridyl cholesterol disulfide) identified as compound (3) was preparedas follows. A solution was prepared comprising 3.0 g (7.45 mmols) ofcompound (1) and 1.8 g (8.17 mmols) of compound (2) in chloroform (35ml) and stirred at room temperature for four days. The solvent wasevaporated, methanol (50 ml) was added to the residue, and wasevaporated. The resulting solid was suspended in methanol (50 ml) andwas stirred at room temperature overnight. The pyridyl cholesteroldisulfide product (3) was collected by filtration, was washed withmethanol, and dried under high vacuum. Yield: 3.6 g (95%). ¹H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.43 (m, 1H), 7.76 (m, 1H), 7.62 (m, 1H), 7.05 (m, 1H),5.32 (bd, J=4 Hz, 1H), 2.75 (m, 1H), 2.35 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 2.05-1.7 (m,5H), 1.7-1.2 (m, 8H), 1.2-0.8 (m, 25H), 0.65 (s, 3H). MS (APCI, Pos):512 (M+1).

The intermediate compound 4-((benzylthio)methyl)-1H-imidazole identifiedas compound (6) in Reaction 1 was prepared as follows. A solution wasprepared comprising 12.15 g (123.9 mmols) of compound (4) and 15.5 ml(132 mmols) of (5) in glacial acetic acid (200 ml) and was heated toreflux temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed tocool overnight. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was dissolvedin chloroform (800 ml). The resulting solution was washed with dilutedammonia (4:1 water:conc. ammonia, 200 ml) and brine (200 ml). Theorganic phase was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and the solvent wasevaporated. Flash chromatography (silica gel, 500 g; 5-7% methanol inchloroform) provided 23 g of the desired product4-((benzylthio)methyl)-1H-imidazole (Compound (6)), representing a 91%yield. NMR showed the presence of a small impurity (4% by weight) whichwas identified as an acetate and is identified as compound (8) below.The compound 6 material was used to produce HGT4001 without furtherpurification. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.60 (d, J=1 Hz, 1H), 7.35-7.2(m, 5H), 6.90 (d, J=1 Hz, 1H), 3.67 (s, 2H), 3.62 (s, 2H). MS (APCI,Pos): 205 (M+1).

The intermediate compound (1H-imidazol-4-yl)methanethiol identified ascompound (7) in Scheme 1 was prepared as follows. A solution of liquidammonia (200 ml) was condensed over a suspension comprising 15 g ofcompound (6) (70.5 mmols) in ether (30 ml). To this resulting yellowsolution was added 5 g of sodium (217 mmols) in small portions until themixture remained dark blue. It was then stirred for 40 minutes.Approximately 10-15 g of solid NH₄Cl was added until the colordisappeared and the solvent was evaporated using a current of nitrogento provide crude compound (7), which was used without purification.

HGT4001 was prepared by adding 3.6 g of compound (3) (7 mmols) and 10 mlof triethylamine (71.8 mmols) to chloroform (200 ml), and the resultingsolution was degassed using vacuum and nitrogen and quickly added tocompound (7) and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperatureunder nitrogen. After 3 days 200 ml of water was added and the mixturewas extracted with chloroform (2×500 ml). The organic extracts werewashed with brine (200 ml), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and solvent wasevaporated. Flash chromatography (silica gel, 200 g, neutralized using1% triethylamine in chloroform; 2-5% ethanol in chloroform) provided1.25 g of HGT4001 (35% yield for two steps). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ7.61 (s, 1H), 7.00 (s, 1H), 5.33 (d, 1H), 3.93 (s, 2H), 2.58-2.46 (m,1H), 2.29 (d, 2H), 1.91 (m, 5H), 1.61-0.84 (m, 33H), 0.66 (s, 3H). ¹³CNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 141.6, 135.3, 134.3, 121.4, 118.1, 56.8, 56.2,50.3, 50.2, 42.4, 39.8, 39.6, 39.1, 36.8, 36.2, 35.8, 31.9, 29.1, 28.3,28.1, 24.4, 23.9, 22.9, 22.6, 21.0, 19.4, 18.8, 11.9. MS (APCI, Pos) 515(M+1). Elem. Anal. C₃₁H₅₀N₂S₂, C (72.32 calcd.), found 72.04; H (9.79calcd.), found 9.84; N (5.44, calcd.), found 5.41.

Example 2—Preparation of HGT4002

The compound1-(2-(((3S,10R,13R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-((R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-yl)disulfanyl)ethyl)guanidine(referred to herein as “HGT4002”) was prepared in accordance with thegeneral synthetic scheme shown below is shown in Reaction 2.

The intermediate compound tert-Butyl(2-(pyridin-2-yldisulfanyl)ethyl)carbamate identified as compound (10)in Reaction 2 above was prepared by adding 5.0 g of compound (9) (28.2mmols) and 6.82 g of compound (2) (31 mmols) to 100 ml chloroform (100ml) and stirring at room temperature for four days to form a solution.The solvent was evaporated and the resulting yellow solid was purifiedby flash chromatography (SiO₂, 50-100% ethyl acetate in hexanes) toprovide 9.0 g of impure compound (10). NMR showed the presence of thedesired material (56% by weight), together with starting materialcompound (2) (24%) and a disulfide compound (11) (20%) identified below.The mixture obtained was used on the following step without furtherpurification. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.55-8.45 (m, 1H), 7.9-7.8 (m,2H), 7.3-7.2 (m, 1H), 7.07 (bt, J=5 Hz, 1H), 3.25-3.15 (m, 2H), 2.87 (t,J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.37 (s, 9H). MS (APCI, Pos) 287 (M+1), 231 (M+1-C₄H₈).

The intermediate compound Bis N,N′-tertbutyl-1-(2-(pyridin-2-yldisulfanyl)ethyl)guanidine carbamate (14) wasprepared by adding 2.0 g of compound (10) (56% pure, 3.9 mmols) toanhydrous dichloromethane (12 ml) to which was then added TFA (6 ml),and the resulting solution stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. Thesolvent was evaporated and the residue was dried under high vacuum toprovide crude compound (13) (TFA salt). The compound (13) salt wasdissolved in 25 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane, excess triethylamine (7ml) was added followed by the addition of 2.7 g of compound (12) (7.0mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight, followed by dilution with chloroform (175 ml) and washingwith water (2×50 ml) and brine (50 ml). The organic solution was dried(Na₂SO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue waspurified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 0-10% methanol in chloroform) toprovide 1.9 g of impure compound (14). NMR showed the presence of thedesired compound (14) (73% by weight), together with disulfide compound(15) (27% by weight) identified below. The mixture was used for thefollowing step without further purification. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ11.48 (bs, 1H), 8.86 (bt, 1H), 8.55-8.5 (m, 1H), 7.65-7.6 (m, 2H),7.25-7.15 (m, 1H), 3.8-3.65 (m, 2H), 2.99 (t, J=6 Hz, 2H), 1.51 (s, 9H),1.49 (s, 9H). MS (APCI, Pos): complex, no (M+1) detected.

The intermediate compound 1-(2-(pyridin-2-yldisulfanyl)ethyl)guanidinetrifluoroacetic acid salt, identified as compound (16) in Reaction 2above was prepared by adding 1.6 g of compound (14) (73% pure, 2.8mmols) to anhydrous dichloromethane (33 ml), to which was added TFA (11ml) and the resulting solution stirred at room temperature overnight.The solvent was evaporated and the residue was dried under high vacuumto provide crude compound (16) (TFA salt), which was subsequently usedin the following step without purification.

HGT4002 was prepared by dissolving the TFA salt of compound (16) inanhydrous dichloromethane (50 ml), followed by the addition of excesstriethylamine (5 ml). 1.13 g of thiocholesterol (1) (2.8 mmol) was addedand the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight,followed by dilution with chloroform (200 ml) and washing with water(2×50 ml) and brine (100 ml). The resulting organic solution was dried(Na₂SO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue waspurified by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 0-30% ethanol in chloroform) andtrituration in acetone to provide 80 mg of HGT4002. ¹H NMR (300 MHz,DMSO-d₆) δ 7.60-6.90 (broad s, 4H), 5.35 (d, 1H), 3.39 (t, 2H), 2.84 (t,2H), 2.72 (m, 1H), 2.28 (m, 2H), 1.91 (m, 5H), 1.58-1.28 (m, 10H),1.20-0.82 (m, 23H), 0.65 (s, 3H). ¹³C NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 157.5,141.5, 121.5, 56.7, 56.1, 50.1, 49.6, 42.4, 38.3, 36.7, 36.2, 35.7,31.9, 29.0, 28.3, 27.9, 24.4, 23.7, 23.2, 22.9, 21.0, 19.5, 19.1, 12.2.MS (APCI, Pos): 520 (M+1). Elem. Anal. C₃₀H₅₃N₃S₂—SiO₂, C (62.13calcd.), found 62.33; H (9.21 calcd.), found 9.08; N (7.25, calcd.),found 7.07; S (11.06, calcd.), found 10.83.

Example 3—Preparation of HGT4003

The compound2-((2,3-Bis((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yloxy)propyl)disulfanyl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine(referred to herein as “HGT4003”) was prepared in accordance with thegeneral synthetic scheme shown below is shown in Reaction 3.

Intermediate compound 3-(Benzylthio)propane-1,2-diol, identified ascompound (19) in Reaction 3 above was prepared by adding dropwise 11.37g of compound (18) (90.3 mmol) to a stirred mixture of 9.73 g ofcompound (17) (90.3 mmol) and 18.64 g of K₂CO₃ (135.1 mmol) in 60 mL ofACN. The resulting mixture was heated at reflux for 2 hours and aftercooling the reaction mixture to room temperature the reaction mixturewas filtered and the solid rinsed with 20 mL ACN. The filtrate wasevaporated and the pale liquid residue was purified by columnchromatography (eluent: 10-100% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 17.03 g ofcompound (19) as a clear liquid (95%).

Intermediate compoundBenzyl(2,3-bis((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yloxy)propyl)sulfane,identified as compound (21) in Reaction 3 above was prepared by addingNaH (60% in mineral oil, 0.82 g, 20.5 mmol) to a stirred mixture of 1.56g of compound (19) (7.88 mmol) and 6.91 g of compound (20) (21.00 mmol)in THF (200 mL) under N₂. The resulting mixture was heated at reflux for44 hours. After cooling to room temperature the reaction mixture wasdiluted with Et₂O (400 mL) and washed with water (300 mL) and brine (300mL). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated,and the yellow liquid residue was purified by column chromatography(eluent: 0-20% EtOAc in hexanes) to give compound (21) as a light yellowliquid (2.04 g, 37.3%).

Intermediate compound2,3-Bis((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yloxy)propane-1-thiol, identifiedas compound (22) in Reaction 3 above was prepared by adding an Et₂O (30mL) solution of compound (21) (0.7 g, 1.01 mmol) to liquid NH₃ (30 mL)and condensed in a 2-neck RBF at −78° C. under N₂, followed by theaddition of small pieces of Na (90 mg, 3.91 mmol). The resulting mixturewas stirred at −78° C. for 30 min when TLC indicated completedisappearance of compound (21) and 340 mg of NH₄Cl (6.34 mmol) wasadded. The deep blue color of the reaction mixture faded into a lightyellow color within 10 min and the dry-ice acetone bath was removed. Thereaction mixture was purged with N₂ while gradually warming up to roomtemperature. After most of NH₃ had been blown away by N₂ (the volume ofthe reaction mixture was reduced to about 20 mL) aqueous HCl (3N, 30 mL)was added. This mixture was extracted with DCM (60 mL). The DCM extractwas dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated. The yellow liquidresidue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: 0-20% EtOAc inhexanes) to give 490 mg of compound (22) as a light yellow liquid (80%).

Intermediate compound N,N-dimethyl-2-(pyridin-2-yldisulfanyl)ethanamine,identified as compound (24) in Reaction 3 above, 2.8 g of compound (2)(12.7 mmol) and 1.41 g of compound (23) (10 mmol) were mixed in DCM (30mL). The mixture was stirred while it was purged by N₂ for 10 minutesand 1.5 mL of Et₃N (11.2 mmol) was added. The resulting solution wasstirred at room temperature for 16 hours and applied onto a 230 g silicagel column. The column was eluted with 40-100% EtOAc/hexanes, followedby 8-10% MeOH/DCM to give 0.72 g of compound (24) as a yellow liquid(34%).

The HGT4003 was prepared by combining 487 mg of compound (22) (0.81mmol) and 180 mg of compound (24) (0.84 mmol) in 2 mL DCM, followed bystirring at room temperature under N₂ for 16 hours. The reactionsolution was purified by column chromatography three times (eluent:20-100% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 252 mg of HGT4003 as a light yellowliquid (44%). Also obtained from column chromatography purifications was213 mg of compound (25) (37%), identified in Reaction 4 below. ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.36-5.33 (m, 8H), 3.65 (m, 1H), 3.56-3.50 (m, 4H),3.43 (td, 2H), 2.96-2.74 (m, 8H), 2.60 (t, 2H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.04 (m,8H), 1.62-1.50 (m, 5H), 1.39-1.22 (m, 32H), 0.88 (t, 6H). ¹³C NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) δ 130.3, 128.0, 71.8, 71.6, 70.6, 58.8, 45.5, 41.4, 36.9,31.6, 30.1, 29.7, 29.5, 29.4, 27.3, 26.2, 25.7, 22.6, 14.2. MS (APCI,Pos): 709 (M+1). Elem. Anal. C₄₃H₈₁NO₂S₂, C (72.92 calcd.), found 72.75;H (11.53 calcd.), found 11.50; N (1.98, calcd.), found 2.08; S (9.05,calcd.), found 8.95.

An alternate route to the synthesis of HGT4003 is depicted in Reaction 4above, employing a pyridyl disulfide bis(alkyl) intermediate. Theintermediate compound2-((2,3-bis((9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dien-1-yloxy)propyl)disulfanyl)pyridine,identified as compound (25) in Reaction 4 above was prepared bycombining 1.35 g of compound (22) (2.24 mmol) and 0.54 g of compound (2)(2.45 mmol) in 10 mL CHCl₃ and stirred at room temperature under N₂ for16 hours. The reaction solution was purified by column chromatographythree times (eluent: 0-20% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 1.1 g of compound(25) as a light yellow liquid (67%). 1.09 g of compound (23) (7.71 mmol)was then added to the CHCl₃ (20 mL) solution of compound (25) (1.1 g,1.54 mmol) and Et₃N (2.6 mL, 18.5 mmol) and stirred under N₂. TLC after16 hours indicated complete disappearance of compound (25). The reactionsolution was then washed with aqueous NaOH (1N, 20 mL), dried overanhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated. The yellow liquid residue was purifiedby column chromatography (eluent: 5-100% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 0.37g of HGT4003 as a light yellow liquid (34%).

Example 4

Lipid nanoparticles comprising HGT4001, DOPE and DMG-PEG2000 andencapsulating codon-optimized firefly luciferase (FFL) mRNA (SEQ IDNO: 1) were formed via standard ethanol injection methods. (Ponsa, etal., Int. J. Pharm. (1993) 95: 51-56.) Ethanolic stock solutions of thelipids were prepared ahead of time at a concentration of 50 mg/mL andstored at −20° C.

Codon-optimized firefly luciferase (FFL) mRNA was synthesized by invitro transcription from a plasmid DNA template encoding the gene, whichwas followed by the addition of a 5′ cap structure (Cap1) (Fechter, P.et al., J. Gen. Virology (2005) 86: 1239-1249) and a 3′ poly(A) tail ofapproximately 200 nucleotides in length as determined by gelelectrophoresis. The 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions present in each FFLmRNA product are represented as X and Y, respectively in SEQ ID NO: 4,as indicated below.

Codon optimized firefly luciferase mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 3):XAUGGAAGAUGCCAAAAACAUUAAGAAGGGCCCAGCGCCAUUCUACCCACUCGAAGACGGGACCGCCGGCGAGCAGCUGCACAAAGCCAUGAAGCGCUACGCCCUGGUGCCCGGCACCAUCGCCUUUACCGACGCACAUAUCGAGGUGGACAUUACCUACGCCGAGUACUUCGAGAUGAGCGUUCGGCUGGCAGAAGCUAUGAAGCGCUAUGGGCUGAAUACAAACCAUCGGAUCGUGGUGUGCAGCGAGAAUAGCUUGCAGUUCUUCAUGCCCGUGUUGGGUGCCCUGUUCAUCGGUGUGGCUGUGGCCCCAGCUAACGACAUCUACAACGAGCGCGAGCUGCUGAACAGCAUGGGCAUCAGCCAGCCCACCGUCGUAUUCGUGAGCAAGAAAGGGCUGCAAAAGAUCCUCAACGUGCAAAAGAAGCUACCGAUCAUACAAAAGAUCAUCAUCAUGGAUAGCAAGACCGACUACCAGGGCUUCCAAAGCAUGUACACCUUCGUGACUUCCCAUUUGCCACCCGGCUUCAACGAGUACGACUUCGUGCCCGAGAGCUUCGACCGGGACAAAACCAUCGCCCUGAUCAUGAACAGUAGUGGCAGUACCGGAUUGCCCAAGGGCGUAGCCCUACCGCACCGCACCGCUUGUGUCCGAUUCAGUCAUGCCCGCGACCCCAUCUUCGGCAACCAGAUCAUCCCCGACACCGCUAUCCUCAGCGUGGUGCCAUUUCACCACGGCUUCGGCAUGUUCACCACGCUGGGCUACUUGAUCUGCGGCUUUCGGGUCGUGCUCAUGUACCGCUUCGAGGAGGAGCUAUUCUUGCGCAGCUUGCAAGACUAUAAGAUUCAAUCUGCCCUGCUGGUGCCCACACUAUUUAGCUUCUUCGCUAAGAGCACUCUCAUCGACAAGUACGACCUAAGCAACOUGCACGAGAUCGCCAGCGGCGGGGCGCCGCUCAGCAAGGAGGUAGGUGAGGCCGUGGCCAAACGCUUCCACCUACCAGGCAUCCGCCAGGGCUACGGCCUGACAGAAACAACCAGCGCCAUUCUGAUCACCCCCGAAGGGGACGACAAGCCUGGCGCAGUAGGCAAGGUGGUGCCCUUCUUCGAGGCUAAGGUGGUGGACUUGGACACCGGUAAGACACUGGGUGUGAACCAGCGCGGCGAGCUGUGCGUCCGUGGCCCCAUGAUCAUGAGCGGCUACGUUAACAACCCCGAGGCUACAAACGCUCUCAUCGACAAGGACGGCUGGCUGCACAGCGGCGACAUCGCCUACUGGGACGAGGACGAGCACUUCUUCAUCGUGGACCGGCUGAAGAGCCUGAUCAAAUACAAGGGCUACCAGGUAGCCCCAGCCGAACUGGAGAGCAUCCUGCUGCAACACCCCAACAUCUUCGACGCCGGGGUCGCCGGCCUGCCCGACGACGAUGCCGGCGAGCUGCCCGCCGCAGUCGUCGUGCUGGAACACGGUAAAACCAUGACCGAGAAGGAGAUCGUGGACUAUGUGGCCAGCCAGGUUACAACCGCCAAGAAGCUGCGCGGUGGUGUUGUGUUCGUGGACGAGGUGCCUAAAGGACUGACCGGCAAGUUGGACGCCCGCAAGAUCCGCGAGAUUCUCAUUAAGGCCAAGAAGGGCGGCAAGAUCGCCGU GUAAY X =(SEQ ID NO: 5) GGGAUCCUACC Y = (SEQ ID NO: 6) UUUGAAUU

The FFL mRNA was stored in water at a final concentration of 1 mg/mL at−80° C. until the time of use. All mRNA concentrations were determinedvia the Ribogreen assay (Invitrogen). Encapsulation of mRNA wascalculated by performing the Ribogreen assay with and without thepresence of 0.1% Triton-X 100. Particle sizes (dynamic light scattering(DLS)) and zeta potentials were determined using a Malvern Zetasizerinstrument in 1×PBS and 1 mM KCl solutions, respectively.

Aliquots of 50 mg/mL ethanolic solutions of the imidazole-based cationiclipid HGT4001, DOPE and DMG-PEG2000 were mixed and diluted with ethanolto 3 mL final volume. Separately, an aqueous buffered solution (10 mMcitrate/150 mM NaCl, pH 4.5) of FFL mRNA was prepared from a 1 mg/mLstock. The lipid solution was injected rapidly into the aqueous mRNAsolution and shaken to yield a final suspension in 20% ethanol. Theresulting nanoparticle suspension was filtered, diafiltrated with 1×PBS(pH 7.4), concentrated and stored at 2-8° C. Final concentration=0.69mg/mL CO-FF mRNA (encapsulated). Z_(ave)=70.3 nm (Dv₍₅₀₎=43.2 nm;Dv₍₉₀₎=80.3 nm).

Example 5

The present example illustrates that HGT4003-based lipid nanoparticlesprovide highly efficacious means of delivering polynucleotide constructsto one or more target cells, tissues and organs. The HGT4003-based lipidnanoparticles were formed via standard ethanol injection methods.(Ponsa, et al., Int. J. Pharm. (1993) 95: 51-56.) Ethanolic stocksolutions of the lipids were prepared ahead of time at a concentrationof 50 mg/mL and stored at −20° C.

Codon-optimized firefly luciferase (FFL) mRNA was synthesized by invitro transcription from a plasmid DNA template encoding the gene, whichwas followed by the addition of a 5′ cap structure (Cap1) (Fechter, P.et al., J. Gen. Virology (2005) 86: 1239-1249) and a 3′ poly(A) tail ofapproximately 200 nucleotides in length as determined by gelelectrophoresis. The 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions present in each mRNAproduct are represented as X and Y, respectively in SEQ ID NO: 4. TheFFL mRNA was stored in water at a final concentration of 1 mg/mL at −80°C. until the time of use. All mRNA concentrations were determined viathe Ribogreen assay (Invitrogen). Encapsulation of mRNA was calculatedby performing the Ribogreen assay with and without the presence of 0.1%Triton-X 100. Particle sizes (dynamic light scattering (DLS)) and zetapotentials were determined using a Malvern Zetasizer instrument in 1×PBSand 1 mM KCl solutions, respectively.

Aliquots of 50 mg/mL ethanolic solutions of HGT4003, DOPE, cholesteroland DMG-PEG2000 were mixed and diluted with ethanol to 3 mL finalvolume. Separately, an aqueous buffered solution (10 mM citrate/150 mMNaCl, pH 4.5) of FFL mRNA was prepared from a 1 mg/mL stock. The lipidsolution was injected rapidly into the aqueous mRNA solution and shakento yield a final suspension in 20% ethanol. The resulting nanoparticlesuspension was filtered, diafiltrated with 1×PBS (pH 7.4), concentratedand stored at 2-8° C. Final concentration=1.27 mg/mL CO-FF mRNA(encapsulated). Z_(ave)=60.9 nm (Dv₍₅₀₎=47.9 nm; Dv₍₉₀₎=75.3 nm).

To determine whether the HGT4003-based lipid nanoparticles were capableof delivering encapsulated polynucleotide constructs to one or moretarget cells, CD-1 mice were injected with a single dose of theHGT4003-based, FFL mRNA-encapsulating lipid nanoparticle and sacrificedafter four hours. As discussed below, single doses of the HGT4003-based,FFL mRNA-encapsulating lipid nanoparticle were administered to theanimals via one of the intravenous (IV), intracerebroventricular (ICV)or intrathecal (IT) routes of administration. The activity of fireflyluciferase protein produced in the livers, spleens, brains and spinalcords of the animals following expression of the FFL mRNA weredetermined in a bioluminescence assay.

Briefly, the bioluminescence assay was conducted using a PromegaLuciferase Assay System (Item #E1500/E4500 Promega). Tissue preparationwas performed as follows: Portions of the desired tissue sample(snap-frozen) were thawed, washed with RO/DI water and placed in aceramic bead homogenization tube. The tissue was treated with lysisbuffer and homogenized. Upon subjection to five freeze/thaw cyclesfollowed by centrifugation at 4° C., the supernatant was transferred tonew microcentrifuge tubes. Repeat and store tissue extracts at −80° C.

The Luciferase Assay Reagent was prepared by adding 10 mL of LuciferaseAssay Buffer to Luciferase Assay Substrate and mix via vortex. 20 μL ofhomogenate samples was loaded onto a 96-well plate followed by 20 μL ofplate control to each sample. Separately, 120 μL of Luciferase AssayReagent was loaded onto each well of a 96-well flat bottomed plate andeach plate inserted into the appropriate chambers using a Biotek Synergy2 instrument and luminescence measured in relative light units (RLU).

The HGT4003-based, FFL mRNA-encapsulating lipid nanoparticleformulations described herein were evaluated by administering a singlebolus intravenous (IV) injection to the animals studied. After fourhours, the animals were sacrificed and the liver and spleen wereharvested from each animal. Luminescence via FFL protein produced fromthe delivered exogenous FFL message was detected and analyzed. FIG. 1illustrates an example using an HGT4003-based lipid nanoparticle systemadministered intravenously, and demonstrates an enrichment of over anorder of magnitude of FFL protein produced in the liver when compared tothe spleen (2.34×10⁶ RLU/mg protein versus 1.71×10⁵ RLU/mg protein,respectively), illustrating that the use of the HGT4003-basednanoparticles affords an enrichment of encapsulated materials in theliver over the spleen.

In addition, HGT4003-based, FFL mRNA-encapsulating lipid nanoparticleformulations were evaluated by administering a single bolus injection tothe central nervous system, either by the intracereboventricular (ICV)or intrathecal (IT) route of administration to the animals studies.After four hours, the animals were sacrificed and the brain and spinalcord were harvested from each animal. Luminescence via FFL proteinproduced from the delivered exogenous FFL message was detected andanalyzed. As illustrated in FIG. 2, following administration of theHGT4003-based lipid nanoparticles FFL, protein production was enrichedin the brain following the ICV route of administration as compared tothe IT route of administration.

A detectable luminescent signal over baseline was observed in everyanimal administered the HGT4003-based, FFL-mRNA encapsulated lipidnanoparticle formulations, irrespective of the selected route ofadministration. The presence of a luminescent signal over backgroundinfers the expression of the exogenously-administered FFL mRNA and theproduction of the firefly luciferase protein from such FFL mRNA. Theluminescence observed in the liver of the animals was enhanced oversimilar signals observed in the spleen, suggesting an enrichment of thelipid nanoparticles in the cells and tissues of the liver. Similarly,when the HGT4003-based, FFL mRNA-encapsulated nanoparticles wereadministered via the ICV route of administration, FFL protein productionwas enriched in the brain following relative to the IT route ofadministration. Accordingly, the present example illustrates thatHGT4003-based lipid nanoparticles provide highly efficacious means ofdelivering polynucleotide constructs to one or more target cells,tissues and organs.

Example 6—Lyophilized Liposomal Formulations

Lipid nanoparticles were formed via standard ethanol injection methods(Ponsa, et al., Int. J. Pharm. (1993) 95: 51-56.) Ethanolic stocksolutions of the lipids were prepared ahead of time at a concentrationof 50 mg/mL and stored at −20° C. Codon-optimized firefly luciferase(FFL) mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 3) was stored in water at a final concentrationof 1 mg/mL at −80° C. until the time of use.

All FFL mRNA concentrations were determined via the Ribogreen assay(Invitrogen). Encapsulation of mRNA was calculated by performing theRibogreen assay with and without the presence of 0.1% Triton-X 100.Particle sizes (dynamic light scattering (DLS)) and particle sizes weredetermined using a Malvern Zetasizer instrument in 1×PBS and 1 mM KClsolutions, respectively. The in vitro activity of encapsulated mRNAformulations was assessed using 293T cells, and 10 μg of mRNA equivalentof the selected formulation was incubated with the 293T cells for 8hours at 37° C. The luciferase production was measured using the PerkinElmer BriteLite Plus kit.

Generally, the lyophilization of the lipid nanoparticles were carriedout by freezing the prepared liposomes in a solution comprising alyoprotectant (sucrose) and subsequently removing any water or moistureby sublimation under vacuum. In particular, prior to lyophilization thebuffer present in the liposomal formulation was replaced with 10%sucrose via centrifugation. The resulting lipid nanoparticle solutionswere then subjected to a lyophilization process characterized byspecific parameters for the freezing, primary drying and secondarydrying steps, as identified in Table 1 below. The lyophilized cake wasreconstituted with appropriate amount of purified water prior to beingsubjected to the physical characterization and biochemical analysesdescribed below.

TABLE 1 Temperature Vacuum Phase (° C.) (mTorr) Time Ramp/Hold Freezing5 500 6 hours H −45 500 R −45 500 H Primary −45 100 60 hours  H Drying−35 100 R −35 100 H −30 100 R −30 100 H −20 100 R −20 100 H 0 100 R 0100 H Secondary 25 100 6 hours R Drying 25 100 H

Example 7

A formulation of a lipid nanoparticle was prepared comprising fireflyluciferase mRNA (FFL) encapsulated in a C12-200:DOPE:CHOL:DMG-PEG2000(40:30:20:10, N/P 2) lipid nanoparticle. A portion of the batch of theprepared lipid nanoparticle formulation was then lyophilized inaccordance with the protocol set forth in Table 1.

The observed physical properties of the fresh (unlyophilized) andlyophilized lipid nanoparticle formulations were compared in accordancewith the protocols described above and were found to be consistent. Asillustrated in Table 2 below, the average particle size (Z_(ave)) forthe fresh and lyophilized lipid nanoparticles were 103.8 nm and 117.0nm, respectively. The polydipersity index (PDI) for the fresh lipidnanoparticles was 0.236 compared to 0.247 for the lyophilized lipidnanoparticles. The Dv₅₀ and Dv₉₀ for the fresh lipid nanoparticles were60.2 nm and 156 nm, respectively compared to a Dv₅₀ and Dv₉₀ of 49.0 nmand 176 nm for the lyophilized lipid nanoparticles, respectively.Accordingly, the observed physical characteristics also suggest thatboth the fresh and lyophilized lipid nanoparticles were stable andfurthermore that the particle sizes remained relatively comparable.

TABLE 2 Z_(ave) Dv₅₀ Dv₉₀ Batch 5926-48 (nm) PDI (nm) (nm) Prior to103.8 0.236 60.2 156 Lyophilization Post 117.0 0.247 49.0 176Lyophilization

Example 8

A formulation of a lipid nanoparticle was prepared comprising fireflyluciferase mRNA (FFL) encapsulated in aDLinKC2-DMA:DOPE:CHOL:DMG-PEG2000 (50:25:20:5, N/P 5) lipidnanoparticle. One batch of the prepared lipid nanoparticle formulationwas lyophilized in accordance with the protocol set forth in Table 5below.

The lyophilization processes was carried out by freezing the preparedliposomes in a solution comprising a lyoprotectant (sucrose) andsubsequently removing any water or moisture by sublimation under vacuum.In particular, prior to lyophilization, the buffer in the liposomalformulations was replaced with 10% sucrose via centrifugation. Theresulting liposomal solutions were then subjected to a lyophilizationprocess characterized by specific parameters for the freezing, primarydrying and secondary drying steps identified in Table 3 below. Thelyophilized cake was reconstituted with an appropriate amount ofpurified water prior to the physical characterizations and biochemicalanalyses described below.

TABLE 3 Temperature Vacuum Phase (° C.) (mTorr) Time Ramp/Hold Freezing5 500 11 hours H −45 500 R −45 500 H Primary −45 100 61 hours H Drying−35 100 R −35 100 H −30 100 R −30 100 H −20 100 R −20 100 H 0 100 R 0100 H Secondary 25 100  8 hours R Drying 25 100 H

The prepared fresh (unlyophilized) and lyophilized formulations wereused to deliver the encapsulated FFL mRNA to 293T cells, andluminescence was determined in accordance with the protocol describedabove. As illustrated in Table 4 below, the luminescence value of4.21×10⁶ was observed for the fresh lipid nanoparticles beforelyophilization compared to 2.65×10⁶ observed following reconstitution ofthe lyophilized formulation.

The average particle size (Z_(ave)) for the fresh and lyophilized lipidnanoparticles were 89.11 nm and 96.41 nm, respectively. Thepolydipersity index (PDI) for the fresh lipid nanoparticles was 0.205compared to 0.204 for the lyophilized lipid nanoparticles. The Dv₅₀ andDv₉₀ for the fresh lipid nanoparticles were 63.8 nm and 117 nm,respectively, compared to a Dv₅₀ and Dv₉₀ of 65.1 nm and 135 nm for thelyophilized lipid nanoparticles, respectively. As demonstrated in Table6, both particle size and encapsulation efficiency were well maintainedduring lyophilization. The encapsulation efficiency of FFL mRNA was 93%and 87% for the fresh and lyophilized lipid nanoparticles, respectively.Additionally, the observed physical characteristics suggest that boththe fresh and lyophilized lipid nanoparticles were stable andfurthermore that the particle sizes remained relatively comparable.

TABLE 4 En- Batch 6087- Z_(ave) Dv₅₀ Dv₉₀ capsulation Luminesence 100-2(nm) PDI (nm) (nm) (%) in 293T cells FF Luciferase 89.11 0.205 63.8 11793 4.21 × 10⁶ nanoparticles before Lyophilization Resuspension 96.410.204 65.1 135 87 2.65 × 10⁶ post- Lyophilization

Example 9

A formulation of a lipid nanoparticle was prepared comprisingerythropoietin (EPO) mRNA (SEQ ID NO:4), flanked by SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQID NO:2 at the 5′ and 3′ ends respectively and encapsulated in aDLinKC2-DMA:DOPE:CHOL:DMG-PEG2000 (50:25:20:5, N/P 5) lipidnanoparticle. One batch of the prepared lipid nanoparticle formulationwas lyophilized in accordance with the protocol set forth in Table 3.

Human Erythropoietin (EPO) mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 4)AUGGGGGUGCACGAAUGUCCUGCCUGGCUGUGGCUUCUCCUGUCCCUGCUGUCGCUCCCUCUGGGCCUCCCAGUCCUGGGCGCCCCACCACGCCUCAUCUGUGACAGCCGAGUCCUGGAGAGGUACCUCUUGGAGGCCAAGGAGGCCGAGAAUAUCACGACGGGCUGUGCUGAACACUGCAGCUUGAAUGAGAAUAUCACUGUCCCAGACACCARAGUUAAUUUCUAUGCCUGGAAGAGGAUGGAGGUCGGGCAGCAGGCCGUAGAAGUCUGGCAGGGCCUGGCCCUGCUGUCGGAAGCUGUCCUGCGGGGCCAGGCCCUGUUGGUCAACUCUUCCCAGCCGUGGGAGCCCCUGCAGCUGCAUGUGGAUAAAGCCGUCAGUGGCCUUCGCAGCCUCACCACUCUGCUUCGGGCUCUGGGAGCCCAGAAGGAAGCCAUCUCCCCUCCAGAUGCGGCCUCAGCUGCUCCACUCCGAACAAUCACUGCUGACACUUUCCGCAAACUCUUCCGAGUCUACUCCAAUUUCCUCCGGGGAAAGCUGAAGCUGUACACAGGGGAGGCCUGCAGGACAGGGGACAGAUGA

The observed physical properties of the lipid nanoparticle formulationboth before and after lyophilization were compared in accordance withthe protocols described above and were found to be consistent. Asillustrated in Table 5 below, the average particle size (Z_(ave)) forthe fresh (unlyophilized) and lyophilized lipid nanoparticles were 85.9nm and 95.4 nm, respectively, suggesting that both the fresh andlyophilized lipid nanoparticles were stable. The polydipersity index(PDI) for the fresh lipid nanoparticles was 0.188 compared to 0.231 forthe lyophilized lipid 112 nm, respectively compared to a Dv₅₀ and Dv₉₀of 67.2 nm and 134 nm for the lyophilized lipid nanoparticles,respectively. The encapsulation efficiency of EPO mRNA was 94% and 86%for the fresh and lyophilized lipid nanoparticles, respectively. As alsodemonstrated in Table 7, both particle size and encapsulation efficiencywere well maintained during lyophilization.

Finally, erythropoietin protein produced by the 293T cells was measuredusing R&D Systems Human EPO Quantikine IVD ELISA Kit. As depicted inTable 5 the erythropoietin protein produced following delivery of theEPO mRNA to the 293T cells for both the pre- and post-lyophilizationformulations was comparable, and there was no significant difference inerythropoietin protein production when comparing the lipid nanoparticleformulations both before and after lyophilization.

TABLE 5 Batch 6087- Z_(ave) Dv₅₀ Dv₉₀ Encapsulation EPO 100-4 (nm) PDI(nm) (nm) (%) (mIU/mL) EPO 85.9 0.188 61.0 112 94 373.1 nanoparticlesbefore Lyophilization Resuspension 95.4 0.231 67.2 134 86 387.9 post-Lyophilization

Example 10

A six-month stability study was conducted on lyopholized EPO mRNAencapsulated lipid nanoparticles. The particle size distribution, mRNAencapsulation efficiency as well as expression of EPO in CD-1 mice weredetermined.

The lipid formulation comprised EPO mRNA encapsulated inKC2:DOPE:CHOL:DMGPEG2K (50:25:20:5) as described in Example 9. The N/Pratio (defined as the ratio of the number of nitrogen in cationic lipidto the number of phosphate in nucleic acid) was 5.

One vial was stored at 2-8 degree C. One vial was stored at roomtemperature. The humidity was not controlled for both storageconditions.

The lyophilized cake was reconstituted with appropriate amount of waterfor injection prior to physical characterization and animal studies.

The particle size was obtained with Malvern Zetasizer Nano-ZS. Theencapsulation efficiency of mRNA in lipid particles was determined usingInvitrogen RiboGreen assay kit. The unencapsulated mRNA was detecteddirectly. The total mRNA was measured after lysis of lipid nanoparticlesin the presence 0.45% w/v of Triton X-100. The encapsulation efficiencywas calculated as (Total mRNA−unencapsulated mRNA)/Total mRNA×100%.

Wild type CD-1 mice were used to evaluate the relative expression of EPOfollowing a single IV administration of two formulations of hEPO mRNAencapsulated lipid nanoparticles. Levels of EPO in serum were measuredat 6 hours post-dose administration. Four CD-1 mice (2 male, 2 female),7 weeks of age, were used for this study. Upon arrival, animals wererandomized into 2 treatment groups containing 2 animals per group (1male, 1 female per group). On Day 1, animals were weighed and bodyweights were recorded. Each mouse received a single IV dose of 99 μgmRNA/animal in a dose volume of 300 μL/animal. At 6 hours post-doseadministration, the mice were euthanized by CO₂ asphyxiation followed bythoracotomy and maximum obtainable volumes of blood were collected andprocessed for serum. All treatments administered were well tolerated inthe CD-1 mouse following a single IV administration. Serum levels ofhEPO were measured by ELISA. EPO was observed in serum from all of thestudy animals that received either of the formulation.

Test results are summarized in Table 6. No significant change inparticle size distribution was observed after storage of lyophilizedlipid nanoparticles for 6 months at both refrigeration and roomtemperatures. In addition, the encapsulation efficiency of mRNA in lipidnanoparticles essentially remained unchanged during storage. Theseresults suggest that the integrality of lipid particle was wellmaintained during storage at lyophilized configuration. The 6-monthstability under accelerated condition of room temperature supports apotential 2-year shelf life under refrigeration condition. Furthermore,the serum hEPO was detected in wild type CD-1 mice at 6 h followingintravenous injection of reconstituted suspension of lyophilized lipidnanoparticles after storage at either refrigeration or room temperature.These results demonstrate that the integrality of lipid particle waseffectively protected during storage at lyophilized configuration.

TABLE 6 Encap- Serum hEPO Batch 6087- Zave Dv50 Dv90 sulation at 6 h100-4 (nm) PDI (nm) (nm) (%) (mIU/mL) EPO 85.9 0.188 61.0 112 94 Notnanoparticles detemined before lyophilization Resuspension 90.04 0.16561.1 119 95 Male of lyophilized  5,077 nanoparticles Female which were95,937 stored at 2-8° C. for 6 months Resuspension 92.06 0.156 67.0 12494 Male of lyophilized 25,015 nanoparticles Female which were 61,855stored at RT for 6 months Abbreviations: 1) Zave (Zaverage) is the meanvalue from intensity distribution; 2) PDI (polydispersity index)describes the distribution width; 3) Dv50 is the median for a volumedistribution; 4) Dv90 means 90 percent of the volume distribution liesbelow this value.

Example 11

Lyophilization studies on mRNA encapsulated lipid nanoparticles using2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin as lyoprotectant were conducted. Forcomparison, sucrose lyoprotectant, was also evaluated.

The mRNA was encapsulated into C12-200:DOPE:CHOL:DMGPEG2K (40:30:25:5)lipid particles by ethanol dilution method. The N/P ratio was 20. Thebuffer in formulations was replaced with aqueous solution containingappropriate amount of sucrose or 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin viacentrifugation prior to lyophilization. The resulting solutions weresubjected to a lyophilization process characterized by specificparameters for the freezing, primary drying and secondary drying steps.Table 7 describes a lyophilization cycle for sucrose containingformulations. Table 8 describes a lyophilization cycle for2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin containing formulations. Thelyophilized cake was reconstituted with appropriate amount of purifiedwater prior to physical characterization and biochemical analysis. Theparticle size was obtained with Malvern Zetasizer Nano-ZS. Theencapsulation efficiency of mRNA in lipid particles was determined usingThe total mRNA was measured after lysis of lipid nanoparticles in thepresence 0.45% w/v of Triton X-100. The encapsulation efficiency wascalculated as (Total mRNA−unencapsulated mRNA)/Total mRNA×100%.

Wild type CD-1 mice were used to evaluate the relative expression of EPOin mice following a single IV administration of two formulations of EPOmRNA encapsulated lipid nanoparticles. Levels of EPO in serum weremeasured at 6 h post-dose administration. Three male CD-1 mice, 7 weeksof age, were used in each group. Upon arrival, animals were randomizedinto treatment groups containing 3 animals per group. On Day 1, animalswere weighed and body weights were recorded. Each mouse received asingle IV dose of 15 μg mRNA/animal in a dose volume of 50 μL/animal. At6 h post-dose administration, the mice were euthanized by CO2asphyxiation followed by thoracotomy and maximum obtainable volumes ofblood were collected and processed for serum. All treatmentsadministered were well tolerated in the CD-1 mouse following a single IVadministration. Serum levels of EPO were measured by ELISA. EPO wasobserved in serum from all of the study animals that received either ofthe formulation.

TABLE 7 Temperature Vacuum Phase (° C.) (mTorr) Time Ramp/Hold Freezing5 500 8 hours H −45 500 R −45 500 H Primary −45 100 69 hours  H Drying−35 100 R −35 100 H −30 100 R −30 100 H −20 100 R −20 100 H 0 100 R 0100 H 25 100 R 25 100 H Secondary 0 100 4 hours Drying

TABLE 8 Temperature Vacuum Phase (° C.) (mTorr) Time Ramp/Hold Freezing5 500 7 hours H −45 500 R −45 500 H Primary −45 100 69 hours  H Drying−20 100 R −20 100 H −10 100 R −10 100 H 0 100 R 0 100 H 10 100 R 10 100H 20 100 R 20 100 H Secondary 0 100 4 hours Drying

All testing results are summarized in Table 9. Particle size growth wasobserved during lyophilization when sucrose was used as lyoprotect at6:1 weight ratio to total lipids. However, particle size was wellmaintained when 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin was used instead evenat relatively low weight ratio of 5:1. N/P was 20. In addition, theencapsulation efficiency of mRNA in lipid nanoparticles was wellmaintained during lyophilization. These results suggest that theintegrality of lipid particle was effectively protected duringlyophilization. Furthermore, the serum hEPO levels in wild type CD-1mice at 6 hours post-dose administration are comparable before and afterlyophilization. In summary, 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin is aneffective lyoprotectant for mRNA encapsulated lipid nanoparticlesformulated with C12-200 lipid.

TABLE 9 5926-101 5926-154 nano- 5926-101 nano- 5926-154 particlesresuspension particles resuspension before post- before post- lyophi-lyophi- lyophi- lyophi- Batch ID lization lization lization lizationmRNA (mg/mL) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 Lyoprotectant N/A sucrose N/A 2-hydroxy-propyl- beta- cyclodextrin Lyoprotectant/ N/A 6:1 N/A 5:1 Total LipidsZave (nm) 74.90 112.4 99.94 104.9 PDI 0.112 0.199 0.205 0.203 Dv50 (nm)58.2 80.3 71.8 73.3 Dv90 (nm) 96.6 181 142 159 Encapsulation % 83 76 8391 Mean Serum not not 142,279 ± 218,945 ± EPO at 6 h determineddetermined 55,823 72,294 (mlU/mL) Abbreviations: 1) Zave (Zaverage) isthe mean value from intensity distribution; 2) PDI (polydispersityindex) describes the distribution width; 3) Dv50 is the median for avolume distribution; 4) Dv90 means 90 percent of the volume distributionlies below this value.

The foregoing examples illustrate that the lyophilized lipidnanoparticle formulations demonstrated comparable or equivalent physicalcharacteristics relative to the unlyophilized lipid nanoparticles thatwere prepared, including comparable stability, lipid nanoparticleparticle sizes and encapsulation efficiencies. With respect to theencapsulated mRNA polynucleotides, the lyophilized lipid nanoparticlesalso demonstrated a comparable production of protein. For example,several of the lyophilized lipid nanoparticle compositions evaluateddemonstrated a comparable production of firefly luciferase protein asdetermined by the presence of a luminescent signal, and therebyinferring the expression and/or production of theexogenously-administered encapsulated mRNA. The foregoing resultssuggest that the lyophilized lipid nanoparticle compositions andformulations described herein are stable and capable of minimizingdegradation of encapsulated compounds (e.g., polynucleotides). Suchlyophilized lipid nanoparticle compositions are expected to haveincreased shelf-life upon storage under both under refrigerated andambient temperature storage conditions, thereby presenting attractivemeans of improving the availability and potential costs associated withsuch pharmaceutical compositions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lyophilized pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a lipid nanoparticle and a lyoprotectant that is trehalose,wherein the lipid nanoparticle comprises ornithine transcarbamylasemRNA, a cationic lipid, a PEG-modified lipid that is DMG-PEG2000, anon-cationic lipid that is 1,2-dioleyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine(DOPE), and a helper lipid that is cholesterol.
 2. The lyophilizedpharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in aform selected from intravenous, oral, rectal, vaginal, transmucosal,sublingual, subdural, nasal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intramedullarinjection, intrathecal, intraventricular, intraperitoneal, intranasal,ophthalmic, and intraocular.
 3. The lyophilized pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 1, wherein the composition has an encapsulationefficiency greater than about 80%.